DCD 105 - The Stanford String Quartet

The Stanford String Quartet was formed by members of the music faculty at Stanford University in 1984. They launched on an ambitious task of performing under-represented works, as well as commissioning new music for string quartet.

In 1991 they recorded three of the works they championed for Laurel Records. That recording is featured in this episode of the DCD Classical 'Cast.

William Bolcolm's Tenth Quartet was a commission by the ensemble, as was Ben Johnston's String Quartet No. 9 -- both of which are featured on the album. Although the third composition, Mark Neikrug's String Quartet "Stars' the Mirror," wasn't commissioned by the Stanford Quartet, it did receive its world recording premier on this CD.

Remember, you don't need an iPod to enjoy a podcast. Just click on the link below to download to your computer.

DCD Classical 'Cast #105 - The Stanford String Quartet

- Ralph Graves


This episode we play selections from The Stanford String Quartet release, including:

William Bolcolm: Tenth Quartet (excerpt)

Ben Johnston: String Quartet No. 9, mvts. 2 & 3

Mark Neikrug: String Quartet "Stars' the Mirror" (final section)

DCD 104 - Rhapsody: The Music of George Gershwin

This episode we showcase selections from the debut recording by the Spectrum Brass Quintet. This group has an unusual mission: to perform and record music with other musicians not normally associated with brass quintets.

Their first CD release, Rhapsody, does just that. The quintet performs the music of George Gershwin with drummer Alex Trahjano, pianist Aviram Reichart, and soprano Elizabeth Stoner.

It's a great album of attractive music for two reasons. The arrangements are first-rate, and the Spectrum Brass Quintet is made up of five outstanding musicians. Their virtuosity shines on this recording, but never gets in the way of the music.

Remember, you don't need an iPod to enjoy a podcast. Just click on the link below to download to your computer.

DCD Classical 'Cast #104 - Rhapsody: The Music of George Gershwin

- Ralph Graves

This episode we play selections from:

Rhapsody: The Music of George Gershwin
Spectrum Brass Quintet
Brass Jar Music

including:

Strike Up the Band

Bess, You Is My Woman Now
It Ain't Necessarily So
Oh, Lawd, I'm on My Way

The Man I Love
'S Wonderful

I Got Rhythm

DCD 103 - Beethoven: Early Dance Music

This episode we take a closer look at a release we've had before on the DCD Classical 'Cast. Monument Records is dedicated to recording music by Beethoven -- but not just any music. They're after the unusual, the obscure, the under-recorded and sometimes never recorded works by Beethoven.

The release, Beethoven: Early Dance Music, features three such works. The Ritterballet, Hess 89 and the Twelve Minuets for Piano, Hess 101 received their world recording premier with this CD.

The Ritterballet was composed when Beethoven was still in Bonn. While originally for a small orchestra, this incidental music to a "Knight's Play" was later arranged by Beethoven for the keyboard (which is the version included on this release).

In 1796 Beethoven was invited to provide dance music for a charity ball held in Vienna. He composed twelve minuets and twelve German dances for the occasion. All twenty-four of these short, charming dance pieces are included on this recording.

Remember, you don't need an iPod to enjoy a podcast. Just click on the link below to download to your computer.

DCD Enhanced Classical 'Cast #103 - Beethoven: Early Dance Music

- Ralph Graves


This episode we play:

Beethoven: Musik zu einem Ritterballett for piano, Hess 89, Nos. 1-5
Stephen Beck, piano
Monument Records

Beethoven: Twelve Minuets for piano, Hess 101, Nos. 4-7
Stephen Beck, piano
Monument Records

Beethoven: Twelve German Dances for piano, Hess 100, Nos. 8-12
Stephen Beck, piano
Monument Records