Sunday, February 20, 2011

DCD 110 - An Orchestra of One

This episode of the DCD Classical 'Cast we feature selections from one of the many recordings Clipper Erickson made for the DTR label. The title of the release "An Orchestra of One" pretty much sums up the concept. Erickson performs a variety of works arranged for solo piano that really test the performer's mettle!

It's an outstanding album of pianistic virtuosity, played by a top-flight artist. This was a show I really enjoyed putting together!

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 - Ralph Graves

This program we play excerpts from "An Orchestra of One" by Clipper Erickson, including:

Johann Sebastian Bach, arr. Myra Hess: Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring from Cantata No. 147 BWV 147

Fritz Kriesler arr. by Sergei Rachmaninov: Liebesfreud

Margaret Bonds; Troubled Water

Charles Gounod, arr. by Franz Liszt: Waltz from 'Faust'

Thursday, February 10, 2011

DCD 109 - Arthur Bliss String Quartets

British composer Arthur Bliss was extremely self-critical. Although he composed four string quartets, only three were ever performed, and he allowed only two to be published. His first two quartets were written when he was a young man, and these were the works he later withdrew. It wasn't until after his fiftieth birthday that he wrote a chamber work that he thought worthy of public performance. This would be designated his String Quartet No. 1.

In 1950, Bliss completed his second and last string quartet, a work he regarded as one of his best chamber music compositions.

This program we play selections from an outstanding recording by the German ensemble the Fanny Mendelssohn Quartett. The CD includes both of Arthur Bliss' approved string quartets, and wonderful works they are!

You don't need an iPod to listen to our podcast! Just click on the link below:


 - Ralph Graves

This program we play excerpts from the Troubadisc release "Arthur Bliss: String Quartets"

Arthur Bliss: String Quartet No 1, Mvts. 1 & 2
The Fanny Mendelssohn Quartett

Arthur Bliss: String Quartet No. 2, Mvts. 3 & 4
The Fanny Mendelssohn Quartett

Thursday, January 20, 2011

DCD 108 - Moments with Annette

Nowadays, Annette DiMedio is a respected pianist and teacher. A native of Philadelphia, she's soloed with the Philadelphia Orchestra as well as orchestras around the world, and currently serves on the faculty of the University of the Arts.

But when she was still a young girl with a promising career ahead of her, she made a recording with the DTR label. This episode we feature selections from that debut recording. The release features not only DiMedio's performances, but also poems she wrote to go with the works. It's an interesting document of an artist who we now know would fulfill the promise of this early recording.

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


- Ralph Graves


This episode we play selections from the DTR release, Moments with Annette

Rachmaninoff: Etude Tableaux, Op. 39, No. 5
Annette DiMedio, piano

Chopin: Nocturne in C minor, Op. 48. No. 1
Annette DiMedio, piano

Debussy: La Cathedrale Engloutie
Annette DiMedio, piano

Ginaster: Piano Sonata, mvts. 3 & 4
Annette DiMedio, piano