Just Opened Week of April 14

April 15, 2014, 1:21 pm

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 We continue our after-the-news-at-noon series of "Just Opened" new solo piano releases.


A MOMENT IN TIME
Teresa Dybvig, piano
Yale Music School
Available online & through her website
Teresa Dybvig's Official Website

 BACH INVENTIONS & SINFONIAS
Simone Dinnerstein, piano
SONY 300 910 2
ISBN# 8 8843-00910-2 3
Simone Dinnerstein's Official Website

 42
Orion Weiss, piano
BRIDGE 9355
ISBN# 0 90404 93552 7
Orion Weiss's Official Website

18 PIECES
Mikhail Pletnev, piano
D.G. 4284
ISBN#0 28947 75378 0
More on Mikhail Pletnev

PIANO MUSIC OF CHOPIN, SATIE AND SCARLATTI
Ian Barton Stewart, piano
IBS 2013
ISBN# 8 87516 20085 4
Ian Barton Stewart's Official Website

J.S. BACH
Andrew Rangell, piano
BRIDGE 9180
ISBN# 0 90404 91802 5
More Information on Andrew Rangell








Thanks again to our practicum, Jennifer Reeves, for pulling together this information.
Kara Dahl Russell

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Just Opened: Week of April 21, 2014

April 17, 2014, 12:49 pm

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 More virtuosic piano releases as we continue bringing you "A Pleasure of Pianos" - new piano releases, Just Opened, after the news at noon in April.


BEETHOVEN GRANADOS SCHUMANN
Amber Yiu-Hsuan Liao, piano
MSR 1368
ISBN# 6 81585 13682 9
More Information on Amber Yiu-Hsuan Liao

A BRIDGE TO BACH
Andrew Rangell, piano
BRIDGE 9216
ISBN# 0 90404 92162 9
More Information on Andrew Rangell
Andrew Rangell just continues to amaze.  Thoughtful and "clean" interpretations...  I find myself reaching for his CDs time and time again.  Given that he records for several labels, including being a Steinway and Sons artist, I am clearly not alone in my esteem for his work.

RECITAL FAVORITES BY NISSMAN VOL. VIII
Barbara Nissman, piano
Pierian 0046
Barbara Nissman's Official Website
With an extensive, luminous career, Nissman is able to delight us with recordings that delight her...  Volume 8 of a continuing series.

TODD CROW
The BBC Recordings Volume 2
Todd Crow, piano
MSR 1487
ISBN# 6 81585 14872 3
Todd Crow's Official Website
Todd Crows releases cover such an unusual "map" of musical territory, he has become a special musical "crush" of mine.  Another recent release features Liszt's solo piano version of Berlioz's Symphony Fantastique.

MAURICE RAVEL
Complete Works for Piano
Heidi Lowy, piano
MSR 5012
More Information on Heidi Lowy

CHOPIN LUGANSKY
Piano Sonata No.3 Scherzo No.4
Nikolai Lugansky, piano
ONYX 4049
ISBN# 8 60040 40492 7
Nikolai Lugansky's Official Website








Thanks again to Jennifer Reeves, our S.U. practicum, for pulling together the CD information for this week's blog.
Kara Dahl Russell

Just Opened: April 28 - April 30, 2014

April 29, 2014, 11:25 am

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 We hope you've enjoyed this special month of new solo piano releases Just Opened, as an afternoon series.  There have been so many impressive artists, it will be hard to choose. 


BEETHOVEN IN D
Luisa Guembes-Buchanan, piano
DA 55307
ISBN# 7 94504 72511 7
Luisa Guembes-Buchanan's Official Website

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH
Vincent Craig, piano
ISBN# 7 00261 38990 5
Vincent Craig's Official Website

DEBUSSY & SCRIABIN
Hristo Kazakov, piano
ISBN# 8 84501 86054 3
Hristo Kazakov's Official Website






I DO hope you'll take time to go visit the websites of these amazing artists that we have featured this month after the news at noon.   When you see the phenomenal credentials of these pianists, you can see why it can be so difficult for any piano virtuoso to "break through."

Thanks again to our SU practicum, Jennifer Reeves, who has worked so diligently to supply you with the pictures and information to be able to more easily find the CDs that you are interested in from both Just Opened, and this After-the-news-at-noon Series.

We return next week to our more regular Friday afternoon time frame for Just Opened, starting at 1PM.
Kara Dahl Russell

Just Opened, May 2, 2014

May 2, 2014, 10:33 am

≫ Next: Just Opened, May 9, 2014 - Artist's Forum

≪ Previous: Just Opened: April 28 - April 30, 2014

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 Special thanks again to our SU Practicum for this spring, Jennifer Reeves. She has done a great job of setting up these blogs with pictures and information to help you find the CDs that you enjoied on the air.
We return to our Friday "Just Opened" with a mix of releases, traditional to a new film score.


SCHUBERT
String Quintet D956 Quartettsatz D703
Gary Hoffman, cello
Cypress String Quartet
AVIE 2307
ISBN: 8 22252 23072 7
The Cypress Quartet's Official Website
One unique and auditorily satisfying facet of this recording is that the two cellists are very much "in harmony."  Not only are their musical ideas a good match (as mentioned by Kloetzel, the Cellist of the CSQ), but they both use gut strings, and both play Amati cellos.  The CSQ is both recognized and with a growing reputation internationally.

VITRUOSO ROCOCO FLUTE MUSIC
Johannes Albertus Groneman & Johnannes Fredricus Groneman
Jed Wentz, traverso
Marion Moonen, traverso
Balazs Mate, violoncello
Marcelo Bussi, harpsichord
NM 92061
Jed Wentz's Official Website
My Delight of the Week!  For those who enjoy an historic baroque sound, this is your cup of tea.  One of the joys of our current times is the availability/ability to explore composers who were very much a part of the musical "scene" of their day, but almost obscure or unknown today.  These works are as accessible and pleasing today as they were when they were written!

NOAH
Music from The Motion Picture
Clint Mansell, composer
Kronos Quartet
Nonesuch 542164-2
ISBN: 0 75597 95560 6
The Kronos Quartet's Official Website
The score of the recent film will not be for traditionalists.  Film scores can be a little trying at the best of times... one of the specific functions of a film score is to create a background "mood"... and with movies like Noah that have so much sturm und drang, the music is an emotional world in that vein.  Mansell's music features the Kronos Quartet with many layers of sound effects and electronic music layers.  The combination of dark mood and synthetic sound may feel to some the way Beethoven felt to traditionalists in his day: "too much noise, too brooding" - but this could be just the musical  ticket for contemporary music romantics.

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH
The Six Suites for Unaccompanied Cello
Mary Costanza, cello
MSR 1450
ISBN: 6 81585 14502 9
More Information on Mary Costanza  
The review of this CD have been uniform raves.  Reviews of the CD
Costanza is praised both for her approach and "phylosophy" or programmatic approach to the work, as well as her technique.  Recordings of this set of works are the quintessential calling card for the serious and seasoned cellist, and this would be a basic "must have" for your music library.


GREAT STRAUSS SCENES
Christine Brewer, soprano
Eric Owens, bass-baritone
Donald Runnicles, conductor
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
 Christine Brewer's Official Website
As our listeners have undoubtedly noticed, releases from major symphonies are a much smaller portion of the market today.  Almost 90% of "classical" or "concert" releases of "serious" music today are chamber works and privately produced CDs.  While this is a great boon for individual artists and their ability to control their own product, it leaves many listeners asking "where are the great orchestras."  Well - here they are - and quite usual, too, for the orchestra to be "backing up" a magnificent vocal soloist, as we have here with Christine Brewer and Eric Owens.  This CD features instrumental selections and large scenic portions of Strauss.   These are uniformly fairly dark, so this is not for even opera lovers who want something frothy... but clearly of merit for those who don't mind the dark, and who are happy to hear great orchestrations (and voices) in a new major label release.

Join us next week for the ever-shifting mix of new and tradtional, Just Opened.
Kara Dahl Russell

Just Opened, May 9, 2014 - Artist's Forum

May 9, 2014, 9:53 am

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This week has a unified theme of artists who stand out as indivuals, both in terms of musical accomplishement, but also in terms of presentation and performance.  We have the full range, very traditional musicians performing exhaustive historical works, to boundary breaking artists who perform music.

SCHUBERT/WINTERREISE
Jonas Kaufmann, tenor
Helmut Deutsch, paino
SONY 3795652
ISBN# 8 8837 95632 1
Jonas Kaufmann's official website
One of Shubert's great gifts to posterity were his almost cinematic song cycles, including this story of a young man setting out in winter only to culminate his journey in seeing himself reflected in the life of a much older man.  The epitomy of the brooding romantic era, this is a dark musical journey, but it has been the cornerstone of many great vocalist's careers (and no, not just for male vocalists... one of the most inventive and effectively film-ic versions was performed by a mezzo). 

 FANTASIES
Stanislav Khristenko, piano
STEINWAY & SONS 30032
ISBN# 0 34062 30032 7
Official website of Khristenko
An up & coming virtuoso receiving international recognition creates a nod to romanticism with this grouping of works called "Fantasies."

SUNKEN CATHEDRAL
Bora Yoon, artist

website for this release
Combining musical worlds from medieval chant to modern jazz, with multi-layered tracks and performance art that recalls some of the work of Bjork, this CD will clearly NOT be for many classical music listeners, but is worth recognizing as a valid portion of the auditory art world.  Yoon has a notable voice, and is adept on multiple instruments, which is displayed by overdubbing.  But, don't think musician or even artist, think: multimedia conceptual performance art.  For that reason, this CD will be hard for many to grasp, and arguably, not neccessarily the preferred form of the artist herself, since her performances incorporate elaborate visual elements, and to listen to the CD alone takes a portion.   (In much the same way a soundtrack is specifically created to enhance the visual imagery of film.)  From the website:  "Sunken Cathedral is a multimedia album release by Korean-American composer, vocalist, sonic surrealist Bora Yoon. Designed as an architectural journey through the chambers of the subconscious, each track on the album illuminates a different sonic “space,” which excavates the memories, insights, and intersections in which our greatest diamonds and demons are held. Sunken Cathedral traces death, life, rebirth and the cyclical/recom- binant nature of the universe; the alchemical moment of transmutation where one medium becomes another."

ADAGIO
Ensemble Caprice
Matthias Maute, cond.
ANALEKTA 9848
ISBN# 7 74204 98484 3
Ensemble Caprice is an "original instrument" group that I've had my eye (and ear) on for several years.  They combine musical eras in interesting and inventive ways, giving fresh musical insights to works both old and new in the process.  The have the combination of taking the musicianship seriously, and taking the music with a great deal of fun.  This particular CD, being adagios, has a darker tonal set than others, and consequently makes for a very interesting sonic pairing with Bora Yoon's release, above.   Full review of this CD  "This is not only one of the most beautiful classical albums of the year, it is also one of the most inventive."

JEAN-MARIE LECLAIR
The Complete Sonatas for 2 Violins
Gref Ewer & Adam Lamotte, violins
SOLO LUMINOUS 92176
ISBN# 0 53479 21762 2
Review & purchase link for this CD set
The following review was written by a critic that has followed the performances and history of both of these artists, as they are part of his Oregon arts scene:  Review of this CD set  I'm so happy to be presenting music at a time when sets like this - meritorious works that have an intense focus on complete oevres by a particular composer - are available, performed by such accomplished artists.

Kara Dahl Russell

Just Opened, May 16, 2014

May 15, 2014, 2:21 pm

≫ Next: Just Opened, June 6th - Music Transcendent

≪ Previous: Just Opened, May 9, 2014 - Artist's Forum

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"Cinematic Visions of Love and Death" is our theme today on Just Opened, with releases that span the big emotions of romantic era solo & duo works, and the landscapes encompased by new concertos and guitar works.

LOVE
Lynn Kuo, violin
Marianna Humetska, piano
www.lynnkuo.com
LKCD 0001
ISBN# 8 59711 48113 0
A beautiful mixture of works on this first release CD on this private label.  Violinist Kuo has a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Toronto, and in addition to her solo work, is Chef d l'ensemble of Les Amis - a group that has toured Europe.  She has recorded works of Nino Rota on the Naxos label.

 LOVE AND LONGING
Yoonie Han, piano
STEINWAY & SONS 30030
ISBN# 0 34362 30030 3
Available digitally and on CD
http://www.yooniehan.com/
My Delight of the Week.  South Korean pianist Yoonie Han has won top prizes in international competitions and accolades for her poetic and sparkling performances.  She made her debut with the Seoul Philharmonic at age 13, and has now performed around the world in major venues.  She has a bachelor's degree from the Curtiss Institute of Music, masters from The Juliard School, and is completing her Doctorate at SUNY Stony Brook.  She explores an unusual grooping of Romantic works inspired by Wagner's Liebestod, with works by Schubert, Hahn, Gluck, Prokofiev, and Granados.   Moving and accessible.

CITY NOIR
John Adams, composer
David Robertson, cond.
St. Louis Symphony
NONESUCH 541356
More information on City Noir & Saxophone Concerto
These two works by modern composer John Adams evoke the sound world of gritty late 1940s - 50s film noir.   The moodiness and sudden shifts of film score are built into the soundscape of these modern works.  For the Saxophone work, do not think the smooth stylings of love ballads, but more like the extended, sonically jerky improvizations of Gillespe... translated to the saxophone.  Much like a film score, these present a dark sonic world.

 DOLCE VENTO
Chris Broom, composer
Patrick Jonsson, arranger
James Shearman, cond.
Thomas Gould, orchestra leader
www.chrisbroommusic.com
Unusual for our Just Opened program, we present a CD that is a the musical equivalent of a composer and arranger postcard.  Two versions of one short work, one vocal, one instrumental.  This is the kind of CD sent out to drive people to the composer's website to learn more about him and hear more of his work.

OUT OF AFRICA
and Around the World
Denis Azabagic, guitar
CEDILLE 7005
ISBN# 7 35--- 70052 8
More information on this release.
Multi-award winning guitarist Denis Azabagic invites listeners into a realm where world, folk, and classical music intersect on Out of Africa . . . and Around the Word, the Bosnia-born, Chicago-based virtuoso’s first solo album on Cedille Records.  Showcasing works by living composers, the album takes its title from American-born, British-based composer Alan Thomas’s evocative Out of Africa, inspired by the Karen Blixen memoir and movie of the same name. Thomas weaves together strands of African singing styles, scales, and rhythms, while paying homage to African string instruments, such as the kora and the oud.  An audience favorite is "Cafe Pieces" by Vojislav Ivanovic.

We hope you enjoied these!  Join us next week for more new releases, Just Opened.
Kara Dahl Russell

Just Opened, June 6th - Music Transcendent

June 6, 2014, 10:10 am

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Our theme today - Music Transcendent - sprang from Ivan Ilic's new release, music selections that reflect the philosophy of Emerson.  Continuing the theme, the works of jazz-influenced composer Frank Voltz in ambient works for harps, and even some explorations for tuba and brass.  And as ALL music is said to transcend our boundaries, we pair these CDs with more traditional works in new releases.

THE TRANSCENDENTALIST
Ivan Ilic, piano
HERESY 015
ISBN# 5 060268 640443
Ivan Ilic's Official Website
In full disclosure, I must admit to being a fan!  Ever since our interview 2 years ago, I have admired Ivan's "outside the box" way of approaching music, his breadth of knowledge and influences, and his willingness to go "all in" on off-the-beaten-path choices.  Not content with being a masterful international piano virtuoso, he also writes about the process:  Click here for an article by Ilic on how research deepens your musicianship.   Now, I must also disclose that I am fully aware that some of our listeners will not be along for this particular musical ride.  I know some of our listeners will find the intentional sonic simplicity of these works pedestrian, and others will think the sometimes painstakingly slow pace to be intolerably boring.   This music requires you to be along for the ride, and a "package" like this, put together with intelligence and intention by the artist requires a "buy in" from the listener to disengage from the hubbub and really listen.  For much of this "deconstructed" music it also helps if you study the scores, because some of these scores simply look like no sheet music you've ever seen!  Think of the score as a map to scale, where a quarter note equals an inch... a completely different way to - literally - look at music.  This is a bridge too far for some.  For others, a welcome invitation to engage in total immersion.  [To hear my extended 1/2 hour interview with Ilic from his previous release, click here. ]

CELESTIAL
Frank Voltz, harpist/composer
CHIERA MUSIC 06
ISBN# 8 84501 23546 4
Frank Voltz's Official Website
My delight of the Week - for melody-driven, accessible new works.  Another accomplished and varied musician, Frank Voltz plays piano and organ in addition to harp, and his jazz and pop infused arrangements and new compositions have given a lift to many a church congregation and to many a harpist's repertoire (including my own).   If Ivan Ilic appeals to the intellect and the esoteric, Frank Voltz appeals to the heart-strings and the toes that want to tap.   Voltz has a way with infectious melody, and here in this cd also explores the more misty borders of a new-age-infused meditative ambiance.  It is worth noticing that "Ambiance" is the name of the first work on this CD, because it sets the tone for this entire collection.  (And in some respects, Voltz does view his CDs as collections... a unified whole with distinct parts.)   I've had the pleasure of meeting him, and his warmth and supportive humility are as infectious as his compositions.   His website makes it easy to listen to samples of his many recordings.  

THE BEETHOVEN JOURNEY
Piano Concertos Nos. 2 & 4
Leif Ove Andsnes, pianist & director
Mahler Chamber Orchestra
SONY 370 5482
ISBN# 8 8883-70548-2 9
Official site of Leif Ove Andsnes
Andsnes has reached that rarified circle of solo artists who can "write his own ticket."  His Beethoven Journey series of recordings and international concerts in major venues with top-flight orchestras is an obvious confirmation of both his status and his musical standing.  It is a whole different level again, to have a soloist also conduct.  This way, we know we are truly hearing the soloist's "vision" of the way the work should sound, based his own study, knowledge, and interpretation.

JOHANNES BRAHMS
Viola Sonatas & Trio Sonata Op. 114
Geraldine Walther, viola
David Korevaar, piano
Andras Fejer, 'cello
MSR CLASSICS 1479
ISBN# 6 81585 14792 4
more about Geraldine Walther
"Prose does not do justice to this music." -- David Korevaar, from the liner notes of this CD.  When 3 highly acclaimed musicians get together to perform timeless works, we just have to sit back and enjoy.  A personal pleasure for me is the opportunity to hear the Viola featured front and center in works of a great composer who obviously enjoyed the often unexplored potential of this alto-voiced instrument.

TUBBY'S REVENGE
New York Tuba Quartet
New York Brass Quintet
CRYSTAL RECORDS 221
ISBN# 0 09414 722125 6
Tuba Quartet featured at 2014 New York Summer Music Fest
This CD is a compilation re-release of previously recorded works, with a focus on tuba, and new works.   We're sharing a few snippets from this CD today, and many of the larger, modern works on this CD continue our "transcendent" theme.... like Persichetti's "Parable" for brass quintet.  Our listeners already know that I have a soft spot for the tuba (just call me "our lady of the orchestral underdogs"), and if you like your sonic explorations brassy, this could help you take that trip!

Thank you for listening to new releases with me today.  Join us next week for more new releases, Just Opened.
Kara Dahl Russell

Just Opened - Friday June 13, 2014

June 13, 2014, 8:41 am

≫ Next: "Fill Music Friday" on June 27, 2014

≪ Previous: Just Opened, June 6th - Music Transcendent

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Romeo and Juliet for Friday the 13th, along with some all time great piano concertos, violin duos, and solo guitar... Just Opened.

ROMEO E GIULIETTA
Alfonso Rega's Symphony No. 2
"I Pomeriggi Musicali" Milano
Heinrich Unterhofer, cond.
For more information and purchase, click here
Last year when we featured a recording of Rega's Symphony No. 7 inspired by the tradgedy of Sept. 11, we received feedback on how grateful people were for hearing the work, and its beauty.  See Rega's website for more about his thoughts on creating music that is both new and melodic.  The result is music that is both sweeping and accessible.  The strong use of guitar in this work is completely legitimate for a southern European setting, and heightens the ability to easily attach to this episodic orchestral work.  Alfonso Rega's work is worth getting to know - his works can update your music library and keep things melodic.

TWO X FOUR
Jennifer Koh, violin
Jaime Laredo, violin
Curtis 20/21 Ensemble
Vinay Parameswaran, cond.
CEDILLE 146
ISBN# 7 35131 91462 8
http://jenniferkoh.com/
Two violinists join four-ses to approach works traditional and new, in a celebration of the teacher/student relationship.  The works by Anna Clyne and David Ludwig will be too challenging for some, but they are a good touchstone of where concert compositions are currently.  By now the once outre work "Echorus" of Glass has become a bit of a standard, and it stands there pointing toward these two newer works.  The opening work for 2 violins by Bach is a very good grounding to start things off in this CD of magnificent performances.  An adventuresome selection for your music shelf.
 

TCHAIKOVSKY/GRIEG
Piano Concertos
Stewart Goodyear, piano
Stanislav Bogunia, cond.
Czech National Symphony
STEINWAY & SONS 30035
ISBN #0 34062 30035 8
http://stewartgoodyear.com/
My Delight of the Week.  Just a few weeks ago, I was thinking to myself that the Grieg piano concerto doesn't seem to get much attention now... and then this CD arrives.  This Canadian pianist is taking the world stage with rave reviews.  These 2 seminal, powerhouse romantic era concertos are a very good start for a growing "classical" music library.

CINEMA VERISMO
Mak Grgic, guitar
MARQUIS 144720
ISBN# 7 74718 14472 0
http://www.makgrgic.com/
Grgic is a young guitarist whose reputation is on the rise.  This CD features classic, well-loved melodies from film scores alongside traditional favorites of guitar repertoire.  The inventive "concept" of this "recital CD" keeps it fresh and accessible.  When people ask me for a good way to "introduce" others to classical music, I often reach for a CD like this one.  The combination of guitar, great works, and film tunes make it an excellent, musically non-threatening introduction to the world of fine music.  Another good pick to start your music library.


Just Opened will take a Summer Vacation and return in the fall with more great new releases.
Kara Dahl Russell

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"Fill Music Friday" on June 27, 2014

June 27, 2014, 12:24 pm

≫ Next: Fill Music Friday, July 11th

≪ Previous: Just Opened - Friday June 13, 2014

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We're having a summer vacation from "Just Opened" and exploring many of the wonderful, under-played works from our "fill shelf."  CDs that - for a variety of reasons - don't make it into our library "proper."  We hope you enjoy the variety of various releases old and new, and the random selections to add some spice to your summer Friday listening!

BACH'S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM
Music from the Film
SONY 62013 (1995)
Slovak Philharmonic Orch.
Ondrej Lenard, cond.
ISBN# 0 7464 62103 2 9

 PIANO MOODS
A Collection of Romantic Melodies
2 CD set
D.G. 477 6555 (2007)
various Composers and Artists
ISBN# 0 28947 76555 4

FOLIE DOUCE
Renaissance Improvisation
Ensemble Doulce Memoire
DORIAN 90262 (1998)
ISBN# 0 53479 02622 4

 LULLABY
Julian Lloyd Webber, cello
PHILLIPS 424 426 (1995)
ISBN# 0 28944 24262 1

GERSHWIN
Thomas Pandolfi, piano
Moravian Philharmonic Orch.
Peter Schmelzer, cond.
available online (2006)
ISBN# 7 07541 86302 5
Pandolfi's website

CLASSICAL ECSTASY
Classics for a New Age
Various Artists/Compilation CD
RCA 23041 (1996)
ISBN# 7 4321 23041 2 1







THE BACH CHOIR OF BETHLEHEM
BACH & VIVALDI
Greg Funfgeld, cond.
ANALEKTA 9873 (2009)
ISBN# 7 74204 98732 9

NOVA RAGS
John Novacek, piano
w/ Steven Novacek, guitar
ARC 1008 (1991)
ISBN# 7 2661 81008 2 5
Ragtime works by Novacek, Lamb, Joplin,
Scott, Roberts, Johnson and Blake






Join us next week for varied listening to brighten your Friday afternoon!
Kara Dahl Russell

Fill Music Friday, July 11th

July 11, 2014, 10:11 am

≫ Next: Just Opened - July 18th, 2014 - "The Girls of Summer"

≪ Previous: "Fill Music Friday" on June 27, 2014

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We continue to share releases old and new from our fill shelf - works that have been featured on Just Opened in the past, that (usually) feature many small cuts, making them perfect for "fill music."

ULTIMATE STRAUSS FAMILY
5 CD compilation release (2008)
LONDON DECCA 478 0223
ISBN# 0 28947 80223 3

JULIAN BREAM
The Ultimate Guitar Collection #2
RCA 63713 (2000)
ISBN# 0 9026 63713 2 7

BAROQUE DUETS
Richard Kapp, cond.
Philharmonia Virtuosi
RCA 61911 (1993)
ISBN# 0 9026 61911 2 3

MELA VIOLA
Mela Tenenbaum
Richard Kapp, piano
ESS.A.Y. 1055 (1997)
ISBN# 0 90998 10553 5

THE ESSENTIAL JAMES HORNER
Film Music Collection
2 CD Set (1998)
SILVA AMERICA 1089
ISBN# 7 38572 10892 2

SALON CLASSICS
The Rembrandt Trio
DORIAN 90222 (1995)
ISBN# 0 53479 02222 6

PIANO DREAMS: NIGHT MOODS
works by CHOPIN
Various Artists/Compilation CD
D.G. 453 906 (1997)
ISBN# 0 28945 39062 8

ANDANTE CATABILE
Romantic Music for Cello & Orchestra
Various Artists/Compilation CD
NAXOS 555764 (2002)
ISBN# 7 47313 57642









We hope you've enjoied exploring these refreshing musical tidbits, a light musical snack for your summer listening.
Kara Dahl Russell

Just Opened - July 18th, 2014 - "The Girls of Summer"

July 18, 2014, 11:10 am

≫ Next: Fill Music Friday - July 25, 2014

≪ Previous: Fill Music Friday, July 11th

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 It's summer, and "the boys of summer" has been a regluar part of beach lingo, so this week we explore music of "the girls of summer" - summer releases by women who make music.


KUYPER
Rediscovering a Dutch Master
Aleksandra Maslovaric, violin
FEMINAE RECORDS 1401
ISBN# 8 52675 75731 1
Maslovaric and Feminae records have been instrumental in bringing works of female composers to light that might well be overlooked and forgotten.  In the case of Elizabeth Kuyper, we have a woman of considerable talent who was championed by Max Bruch.  A great way to hear great music, rediscover a little known artist, hear exceptionally talented musicians, and support women in the arts - all at once!

IMPRESSIONS DE FRANCE
Caroline Leonardelli, solo harp
CENTAUR CLASSICS 1453
ISBN# 8 29982 15046 2
Thank you to Centaur Classics for providing us with promo copies of this CD for give-away to our listeners!
In the tradition of many great musicians whose work is "in the family,"  Leonardelli's mother was a harpist, and also a friend of the great international harpist Lilly Laskine.   At an early age, Leonardelli was studying at the Paris Conservatoire with Laskine.  This CD which focuses on french Composers of the late Romantic, early Modern era pays homage both to this great period of harp literature (shedding light on several rarely heard masterpieces), and her personal heritage with Laskine, including some works previously recorded by her teacher.  Leonardellis is quickly becoming my personal favorite harpist, with her exquisite technique and phrasing, and her taste in musical selections.  My Delight of the Week.

MOZART PIANO CONCERTOS
Marianna Shirinyan, piano
Odense Symphony Orchestra
Scott Yoo, cond.
BRIDGE 9408
ISBN# 0 90404 94082 8
Winner of 5 ARD International Music Competition awards in 2006, Shirinyan has become a frequent guest artist at music festivals internationally.  She has gained a reputation as one of the leading pianists of a new generation.  Here playing two Mozart piano concertos.

HIDDEN TREASURES
Seunghee Lee, clarinet
ISBN# 8 88174 45939 4
www.seunghee.com
This is a delectable buffet of small melodic works where clarinet gives voice to the lyric line.  Famous hummable tunes from Brahms, Gounod, Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Puccini, Donizatti, and Bach, to name just a few.  The effect is a full program of audience-pleasing finales!  Many of these are transcribed by Ms. Lee herself, and indeed she gets as much praise for her talent at arrangement as her "warm, rich, round" tonality.

IN SEARCH OF DIVINE LIGHT
Divna Ljubojevic, vocals/cantor
VALLEY ENTERTAINMENT 15248
For info. and CD purchase
Known simply as "Divna" this Serbian vocalist has carved a sizable name for herself in the world of sacred music and the interpretation of historic texts.  She is considered the leading specialist in the music traditions of Orthodox, Christian, and Byzantine churches.



We hope you enjoied these new releases by female artists, Just Opened.
Kara Dahl Russell

Fill Music Friday - July 25, 2014

July 25, 2014, 11:16 am

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We continue our summer exploration of the great releases old and new that are on our fill music shelves.  As many of these CDs are older, most are not only available online, but also available on several sources slightly  used, for a very low price!

The Jane Austen Companion
Compilation CD (mostly orchestral)
works of Mendelssohn, Haydn, Boyce,
Mehul, Bach and Schubert
NIMBUS 7032 (1996)
ISBN # 7 10357 70322 5
Music popular during the period of Jane Austen's life.

CANTABILE
Duets for Mandolin and Guitar
Butch Baldassare, mandolin
John Mock, guitar
SOUNDART RECORDINGS 1251
ISBN# 7 233-- 12512 2
Mostly traditional, all tuneful, works transcribed for the delightful pairing of mandolin and guitar.

GRIEG
The Complete Songs, Vol. 4
Monica Groop, mezzo soprano
Roger Vignoles, piano
BIS #1257 (2002)
In the extended labor of love and artistic committment, renowned mezzo Group continues her affair with the songs of Edvard Grieg.  This CD includes 5 Poems of John Paulsen, 12 melodies of A.O. Vinje (which focus on relationships), and closing with "Songs without Opus" we have a random grouping, many of which are nature songs like "Little Bird" and "Blueberry."

DANSE ROYAL
Music of the French Baroque Court & Theatre
Chatham Baroque (original instruments)
DORIAN RECORDINGS 90272 (1999)
ISBN# 0 53479 02722 1
My Delight of the Week!This CD is a personal favorite of mine.  French baroque dance suites by Lully, Mehul, Charpentier, Mouret and more.

QUINTANGO
(Self Titled CD)
www.quintango.com (1998)
ISBN# 7 91022 07922 7
This early release of the popular chamber group is still available through their webiste. works by Piazzola, Donato, Gade, Lara, and more.

LISZT - WILD AND CRAZY
Compilation CD, various artistist
D.G. #15651 (2011 - 2 CD set)
ISBN# 0 28947 79526 1
Great piano artists playing solo works and show-stoppers of the first great piano performer, Franz Liszt, including a few works with piano and orchestra.

THOMAS PANDOLFI
Pianist
www.thomaspandolfi.com (2011)
ISBN# 8 84501 46366 9
The actual CD we aired on this program may have been a promo CD only sent to radio stations, as I do not see it on his website.  It includes the solo piano version of Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue," Pandolfi's Improvisation on Gershwin Melodies, Wild's Etude on "Lady Be Good," Pandolfi's arrangement of Weber's "All I Ask of You," and Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag."   CDs available through his website.

GOD BLESS AMERICA
Mormon Tablernacle Choir
23 Patriotic Favorites
SONY 48295 (1973/1976)
ISBN# 0 7464 48295 2

MARRINER - LOLLIPOPS
Neville Marriner, cond.
Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Phillips 442 406 (1994)
ISBN# 0 28944 24062 7
Orchestral "lollipops" - short, sweet, and  fun works for orchestra, with 2 songs thrown in featuring soprano Karita Mattila.





We hope you enjoied this musical buffet of music from our fill shelves!
Kara Dahl Russell

Just Opened - August 1, 2014

July 31, 2014, 11:09 am

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We are celebrating the anniversary of the 101st birthday of American comoposer Jerome (Jerry) Moross.  As with his contemporary & pal, Bernard Hermann, Moross not only famously composed for film (The Golden Apple, The 7 Wonders of the World, and the academy award nominated score for The Big Country), he also composed for the Concert Hall, chamber music and ballet.

JEROME MOROSS
Joann Falletta, cond.
London Symphony Orchestra
ALBANY/TROY 1403
ISBN # 0 34061 14032 0
 3 major orchestral works of the composer best known for his film scores.   This particular combination of works play on the lush tune-ful qualities found in his film work.  His Symphony No. 1 begins with a big sweeping sound similar to Copeland (the kind of sound used in his score for The Big Country), followed by a skipping, spritely, jazzy 2nd movment that features a piano... almost a piano concerto within a symphony.  Moross considered his ballet score for "The Last Judgement" to be one of his best works.  It too is infused with a "wide open" bucolic sound, infused at times with more jazzy, urban musical elements.  His  "Variations on a Waltz" takes the classical theme and variations concept and plays with both style and substance through the variations, and hints at influences of Bernstein.  Far from the usual turgid, brooding complexity of many contemporary composers, this is completely accessible modern orchestral music, an easy addition to a music library.

COME DANCE WITH ME
Katarzyna Musial, piano
MERIDIAN 84621
ISBN# 5 015959 462125
Polish/Canadian pianist Musial has attracted a round of awards, apparently as easily as her shock of bright auburn hair attracts attention to her beauty.  It's clear that she is an artist on the rise with a sense of awareness and showmanship.  Her provocative "Come Dance With Me" (the cover of which elicited comments from co-workers, "I'll dance with you, baby!") takes the tried-and-true formula of dance inspired works and turns it sideways by the choice of many modern composers like Mompou, Ginastera, Messiaen, Gorecki & Lecuona.   A not-for-everyone saucy mix of sometimes inaccessible modern european composers paired alongside the toe-tapping tunefulness of many spanish or spanish-influenced composers.  This particular "showcase" CD of a hot young artist shows tremendous polish and flair in a very savvy, technically polished presentation.

MOZART & BRAHMS
CLARINET QUINTETS
Anthony McGill, clarinet
Pacifica Quartet
CEDILLE 147
ISBN# 7 35131 91472 7
My Delight of the Week.  McGill, principal clarinetist with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra joins the Pacifica Quartet after they have completed their cycle of recordings of Shostakovitch with this change-of-pace that will be very welcome to many.  Both Mozart and Brahms had a particular genius for the blending of the clarinet with strings, and these solid, traditional works are the perfect way for Pacifica to reach out - for the first time - to include a soloist of McGill's talent.

Join us again next week for more new releases, Just Opened.
Kara Dahl Russell

Just Opened, August 15th - The Boys of Summer

August 14, 2014, 9:05 am

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Earlier this summer we featured female artists for "The Girls of Summer," so we turn-about with a program today featuring conductors & performers who - still today in these times of "diversity" -  happen to be the primary population of orchestras:  men.

ARANJUEZ
Milos Karadaglic, guitar
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Yannick Nezet Seguin, cond.
D.G. 20039
ISBN# 0 28948 10652 3
Karadaglic seems to be "the anointed one" in a line of prestiqious guitarists destined for great things in the music world.  All ready acclaimed and performing internationally at a young age, with the looks of a movie star (or pop idol), he could easily follow in the star-studded footsteps (or should I say "fret markings") of such greats as Segovia and Williams, if not Leo Brower and Marin Alsop.  Having released two (mostly) solo releases last year, he turns his attention now to some of the most beloved repertoire for guitar and orchestra, with his "back up band" being one of the world's finest orchestras.  Works like these are the easy, natural pick to "painlessly" introduce concert music to folks who think they "don't like classical music."  They are all ready so much a part of the larger media culture that they are basically familiar to almost everyone.  Keep it in mind for holiday gift-giving, and in the larger scheme, keep an eye on the all ready meteoric career of Milos K.

BRAHMS BELOVED (set 2)
John Axelrod, cond. & pianist
Orchestra Sinfonico Di Milano Guisepe Verdi
Wolfgang Holzmair, baritone
Dame Felicity Lott, soprano
TELARC 34659 (2 CD set)
ISBN# 8 88072 34659 8
I think time will look back on these days of great music as the day of "the package" and interesting programmatic combinations being as important as the music itself, making this set a representative of today's concert zeitgeist, and so - My Delight of the Week.  This is the second offering in this inventively constructed set that pairs the major orchestral works of Brahms with art songs of his "Immortal Beloved," Clara Wieck Schumann.  The Symphonies featured here are Numbers one and two, and this time the singers are established, big name, mature performers who bring all their gifts to the table.

TO SPRING
Torsten Juul-Borre, piano
Self Published Release
ISBN #7 00261 30356 7
For information and purchase
CD available through CDBaby and other online sources.
Many American pianists say they have been trained in the European tradition, usually tracing a line a teachers back to Europe.  Juul-Borre is one who actually studied in Europe (Denmark) in an extensive 7 year program focused not only on piano, but also organ.  For centuries, some have said that playing organ can ruin your "touch" at the piano.  Fortunately for us, Juul-Barre has defeated the odds, and is known for incredible sensitivity of phrasing and tone, as evidenced in the attached review:  Review of "To Spring"  Juul-Borre has a true world-wide carreer, with an extensive concert career in Denmark and here in the states as well.  While this CD includes the little known Piano Sonata of Frederic Balazs (in a performance that drew appreciative raves from the composer himself), the rest of the program is made up of recognizable, beloved works from the Romantic and late Romantic era - familiar enough to please -  in artistically literate performance.

Join us next Friday for more new releases, Just Opened.
Kara Dahl Russell

Just Opened - August 22, 2014 - Women Looking Both Ways

August 21, 2014, 11:21 am

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Today on Just Opened, we focus again on female artists, performer musicians who also arrange and compose.  Women who both perform historical works, and also bring music right up to the present moment.

ORCHESTRAL MUSIC
Music of Barbara Harbach
Kirk Trevor, cond.
London Philharmonic Orchestra
MSR 1519
ISBN# 6 81585 15192 1
A variety of works for orchestra can be heard on this CD.  Several are inspired by places and regions of America, and have a melodicism that makes these works much more accessible than some of the more challenging or intellectual works of Harbach.  This is an easy pick to add some contemporary compositions to your musical collection, tuneful works by a highly respected working female composer.

BACH & PACHELBEL
Fugues
Barbara Harbach, organ
MSR 1442 - 2CD set
ISBN# 6 81585 14422 0
The other side of Harbach's career - as a performer and interpreter of great historic works.  This 2 CD set displays her love of the foundational composers, and her technical proficiency on, and commitment to some of the most daunting repertoire.

SHADY GROVE
Kim Robertson, celtic harp
Gourd Music 140
ISBN# 0 9016 70140 2 6
Robertson is arguably one of the best known harpists in the world, precisely because she has focused on music with a cross-over appeal.  Her music appeals to historical early music purists, the folk music audience, and classical music listeners who appreciate the wide variety of technique, training, and musicality that Robertson brings to "the table" (pun intended... "le table" being a term for the harp's soundboard).  She has been established on WSCL for many years before I came on board. This CD includes works from historically seminal volumes, Playford's "The English Dancing Master" and "Sharpe's Ballad Book."   She has a particular gift for mentally and musically cross-referencing works like these with folk melodies and blending them into engaging arrangements that sound both historically "right" and absolutely current.  Having had the good fortune to have been coached by her myself, I know first hand her ability to break things down to essentials, and to take the focus in varied directions while working toward a musical goal.  Aside from the musical knowledge (she studied classical piano and harp) and love she brings to the works we hear on this CD, Robertson is known for her own exquisite arrangements and compositions, her music collections and  pedagogy, her teaching and coaching, and her irrepressible enthusiasm for making traditional music relevant and heartfelt.  If you enjoy exploring traditional and historical music without the dusty cloud, this and other CDs by Robertson are easy favorites.

BRAZILIAN BUTTERFLY CIRCLE
Laurel Zucker, flute (& composer)
With strings, winds & piano
CANTILENA RECORDS
ISBN# 8 84501 96163 9
My Delight of the Week.  Zucker has been a regular on our playlists for many many years.  She has an impressive, prolific recording output (close to 40 CDs) and on-going concert career.  Early on in her career, she began to be compared to the greats and has continued that tradition of excellence.  She seems to have chosen to focus largely on chamber works, and her own productions and recordings.  These led naturally to her own compositions, and here we have a beautiful mix of chamber works - for winds, for strings, for piano & flute duo.   Some are progressively modern, and many others tunefully inspired by folk music and regions of America.

FOREVER
Love Poems of Pablo Neruda
Ute Lemper, vocalist & composer
with Marcelo Nisinman
STEINWAY & SONS 30020
ISBN# 0 34062 30020 4
Lemper and Friends give rhythm and musical spice to the love poems of Neruda.  Lemper's voice and musical stylings are not the norm for our "classical/orchestral" focus here on WSCL, but worth visiting, as she has cut such an indelible mark in her trade-mark performances.  Renowned A-list cabaret performer Lemper is known to lovers of great music, theatre and art world wide.

Join us next week for more new releases of great music, Just Opened.
Kara Dahl Russell

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Just Opened - August 29, 2014 - Concertizing Hollywood

August 29, 2014, 12:27 pm

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We continue our celebration (from August) of the 101st birthday of Jerome Moross with a trio of composers, contemporaries, who were all famous for their work in Hollywood, and in the Concert Hall... "Concertizing Hollywood."

THE VALLEY OF GWANGI
The Classic Film Music of Jerome Moross
The City of Prauge Philarmonic
Paul Bateman, cond.
SILVA SCREEN - FILMCD 161
ISBN # 5 014929 016122
Official Website of Jerome Moross
My Delight of the Week!  This cross-section selection of film music by Jerry Moross displays his particular gift for expressing wide open spaces of coutryside or the sea.  The syncopated, jazzy feel of the big river in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Suite) are laconic and lyric, and make it easy to see why his work has remained so popular.  His Romanze from "Five Finger Exercise" - a melodramatic potboiler that bombed both from controversial themes and post production PR cutting - has nevertheless remained a work that stands on it's own.  "Wagon Train,""The Valley of Gwangi," and "Rachel, Rachel" are film music scores that have become part of history, and remain highly infectious and listenable.

CHAMBER MUSIC OF
BERNARD HERRMANN &
JEROME MOROSS
The Texas Music Festival Chamber Ensemble
TROY 301
ISBN # 0 34061 03012 6
Official Website of The Bernard Herrmann Society
Herrmann and Moross were contemporaries and friends at Conservatory, and then both went on to fame writing Hollywood film scores, while reserving their deepest ambitions for the concert hall.
This CD features chamber music of both, including (arguably) the best known chamber work of Hermann, his "Souvenir de Voyage" which shares thematic sensibility with his famously haunting score for "Vertigo."  Jeffrey Lerner is the featured clarinetist on that piece, and his playing is luscious and melting.  Herrmann's more adventuresome "Echos" closes the CD. The central work is Moross's Sonata for piano and quartet which displays his ability to create melodies that immediately sound like ages-old familiar folk tunes, then bounce them around amongst the players like a rubber ball.  Great musical fun.

THIS IS GERSHWIN
Complete Works for Piano and Orchestra
Joshua Pierce
Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra
Kirk Trevor, cond.
MSR 1265
ISBN # 6 81585 1265 23
Official Website of Joshua Pierce
Official Website of George Gershwin
We had only played one cut from this CD today when we received a phone call about what a magnificent performance it was (referring to the Concerto in F)!   This CD of Gershwin works for piano and orchestra is sure to please, with the always top-notch playing of pianist Joshua Pierce, who has been a long term favorite here on WSCL.

A special thank you to Stephanie Clark, our S.U. practicum student this fall, for pulling together the photos, links, and CD information for this blogpost.  Join us next week for more great music, Just Opened!
Kara Dahl Russell

Just Opened - September 5, 2014

September 5, 2014, 11:47 am

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Our usual mix of old & new, traditional and unusual.


ALL THE THINGS YOU ARE
Leon Fleisher, piano
BRIDGE 9429
ISBN # 0 90404 94292 1
Fleisher's first solo disc in nearly a decade, released in time to celebrate his 86th birthday.  Fleisher famously lost the use of two fingers on his right hand and rose to the occaission by re-defining his repertoire with works for the left hand alone.  Most of these works are for the left hand alone, spanning new works like Perle's "Musical Offering" and his own "L.H.", and arrangements of crowd pleasing favorites by Gershwin and Kern.

FRANKIE & JOHNNY
Concert works of Jerome Moross
TROY 1400
ISBN # 0 34061 14002 3
Official Website of Jerome Moross
We continue the celebration of the 101st anniversary of Moross's birth with more of his concert works.  The Ballet "Frankie & Johnny," based on the song ballad remains as camp today as it was upon its inception, and is probably the weakest of this collection.  His "Beguine" and "A Tall Story for Orchestra" are topped by a surprisingly infectious finale, his "Concerto for Flute and String Orchestra" which gets better and better with each listening.

SNAPSHOTS
Danny Helseth, euphonium
Molly D. Orlando, piano
Potenza Music 1003
ISBN # 7 57783 00702 2
Official Website of Danny Helseth
New works for Euphonium.  Mostly works for euphonium and piano, but a few include chamber ensemble as well.  Many of our listeners will find this a challenge, but there are melodic works here, and the rarity of new works that feature euphonium give this CD an innate appeal.

JOHANNES BRAHMS
The Cello Sonatas
John Whitfield, violoncello
James Winn, piano
MSR 1516
ISBN # 6 81585 15162 4
My Delight of the Week!
Whitfield and Winn, both highly lauded and accomplished, are separated by generations, but play as one on these historic works.



Special thanks to our S.U. practicum Stephanie Clark for her work pulling together the photos and information on today's CD selections.  Join us next week for more new releases, Just Opened!
Kara Dahl Russell

Just Opened - September 12, 2014 - American Music-Makers

September 12, 2014, 8:43 am

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America is filled with, and has inspired great music-making through the centuries.   Today we have a musical cross section, from early "anti-colonial" music to jazz infused film and pop favorites in lush interpretations, to great European works interpreted by American artisits.

A CIVIL WAR SCRAPBOOK
HESPERUS
MM 236
ISBN # 0 95182 02362 6
Official Website of HESPERUS
This weekend there is a big celebration of the Star Spangled Banner going on at Ft. McHenry.   So on Just Opened today we continue our musical exploration of early American Music, opening a CD by Hesperus Early Music Ensemble of music of the civil war.  A mixture of the influences of European roots with parlor music and appalachian fiddle - the wide range of musical influences that existed in the colonies.

A SUMMER PLACE
Amy Dickson, saxophone
SONY 88843040412
ISBN # 8 88430 40412 0
Official Website of Amy Dickson
Australian beauty Dickson has playing that matches her looks, crisp clean, and easy on the ear.  Like many current young artisits, she has made a mark for herself playing traditional concert works, and also popular works.  For her playing with orchestras in more traditional concert repertoire, look for her other CDs.  This CD has American pop and film music favorites in arrangements that recall their glory days, and that also give them fresh flavor, esp. the samba infused version of the jazz standard "Take Five."  Definitely not for the hard core classical purist, but a little something for your down-time, or your next casual party.

Gilbert Kalish, piano
Works by Hayden, Beethoven, & Schubert
BRIDGE 9428
ISBN # 0 90404 94282 2
Gilbert Kalish Profile Page, 
The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
My Delight of the Week.  A native New Yorker, and pianist with the Boston Symphony Players for 30 years, Gilbert brings solid mastery and keen musicianship to these works.  I'm particularly fond of Beethoven's Bagatelles, which can be overlooked by great artists because of their light nature - but that is exactly what makes them classical "easy listening."

TCHAIKOVSKY, HAYDEN
The American String Project
MSR 1522
ISBN # 6 81585 15222 5
Official Website of The American String Project
 The unique "conductorless string orchestra" continues to offer great annual musical treats.  Major works by Tchaikovsky & Haydn, with encores of Grieg, Brahms and Shostakovich.





Special thanks to our SU Practicum Stephanie Clark, for her help pulling together the photos and info. on these CD to make your info. search easier.
Kara Dahl Russell 

Just Opened - September 19, 2014

September 19, 2014, 10:02 am

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A girl choir, an under-appreciated female composer, fresh takes on early & baroque works, challenging new works for euphonium, and timeless lush film music.  It's ALL in the mix today, Just Opened.

A THING MOST WONDERFUL

Music from Lent to Easter

The St. Cecilia Choir of Girls

MSR 1426

ISBN # 6 81585 14262 2

Official Website of The St. Cecilia Choir of Girls
Here at S.U. we are having two performances of boy choirs this fall.  This CD (intended for spring of the religious year) shows the magnificent potential of girl choirs, an under-tapped musical resource.

THE FLATTERER
Piano Music of Cecile Chaminade
Joanne Polk
STEINWAY & SONS 30037
ISBN # 0 34062 30037 2
Official Website of Steinway & Sons
Joanne Polk's Profile Page on Steinway & Sons
My Delight of the Week.  Chaminade's works continue to be marvelous revelations, especially in the hands of a virtuoso like Polk.  She has dedicated a significant part of her playing career to shedding performance light on the works of female musicians.  Chaminade's works, so often dimissed as merely decorative or charming, are shown here to have depth, and incredible technical demands within the beauty.  For anyone who loves great piano music.

ESPANOLETAS
Harmonious Blacksmith
ISBN # 8 88295 11270 3
Official Website of Harmonious Blacksmith
An "original instrument" group that goes back to original texts, compares historical texts by other performers of the original, adept at historically correct improvisation, and current compositions and improvisations.  They bring this vibrant mix into the performance of historic works and new works bringing excitement to the table.

PRAXIS
Brian Meixner, Euphonium
Nathan Daughtry, Percussion
PM 1030
ISBN # 6 70541 35958 7
Official Website of Brian Meixner
New works, on the challenging side, for euphonium, percussion, and marimba on a few, too.  Two works we feature have the restraint and meditative quality of new age works.  Others will be for those who are really tuned into the world of new chamber works.

THE CARDINAL &
The Classic Film Music of Jerome Moross
The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra
SILVA SCREEN 6030 - 2 CD set
ISBN # 7 38572 60302 1
The City of Prague Philharmonic Official Website
More lush, wide open orchestra scores that helped define the era of the magnificent film scores.




Thanks again to Stephanie Clark, our S.U. practicum, for pulling together visuals and details to help you find the CD information you want from today's Just Opened.
Kara Dahl Russell

Just Opened - September 26, 2014 - Europe and the World

September 26, 2014, 8:24 am

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France, Italy, Wales, and the Austro-German empire are the regions.  Baroque, Classical, early Romantic and Modern are the time periods.  The flavors come from the home countries and from travel, as each of the composers and performers have traveled widely, and let their music be infused with the tastes and styles of other countries near and far.

LECLAIR - SONATES A DEUX VIOLONS SANS BASSE
Anima Concordia
ENZO Recordings
ISBN # 4 571232 870229
Official Website of Anima Concordia
Jean-Marie Leclair's 2 sets of sonatas for 2 violins have been receiving new attention as musicians look for new ways to incorporate music in the community.  Hailed as one of the premier composers for strings of his day, these works are considered the zenith of symmetry, intimacy and solidarity.  Leclair was exceptionally well traveled for his day, having studied Italian works, and then studying in Turin, and later traveling to England and Germany.  It is thought that these works may have been initially intended for performance by Leclair himslef, joined by the great Pietro Locaterri.  This husband and wife team both graduated from the Royal Conservatory at the Hague, and have performed with several international groups including "Le Petit Bande" and Bach Collegium Japan.
 

DOMENICO SCARLATTI
Igor Kamenz, piano
Naïve 5399
ISBN # 8 22186 05399 7
Official Website of Igor Kamenz
This CD is nationally released on Sept. 30, 2014.  To give you an idea of the international stature of Igor Kamenz, this past August he played two solo concerts at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall in advance of the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra, and Joshua Bell.  He first conducted a major orchestra at the age of 7, followed by a series of concerts where he was piano soloist and conductor, all before the age of 10.  Recently I've been saying, "Just BUY THE CD."  Not only are the artist paybacks on downloads notoriously small, but here we have another fine example of a program that - while it can be appreciate in bits - was created to form a whole program that forms a dramatic narrative.  Out of Scarlatti's mind-boggling 555 sonatas, Kamenz has chosen these, and ordered them to form a complete program that should be listened to in full to better understand his artistic intent.

QUIRK
Karl Jenkins
EMI 235
ISBN # 5 099950 023523
Official Website of Karl Jenkins
My delight of the week!  Welsh composer Karl Jenkins infuses his concert works with international influences from the east, a desire to invent, with a grounding in traditional Romantic era European folk songs.  The mix created is very accessible, playful and spicey.   The wide variety of his works on this CD make for a fascinating and varied program.  It will be no surprise that I purchased this CD for the double harp concerto (both parts performed here by Catrin Finch), but each of these works presents a complete different musical "room."  A work for 2 flutes, piano and percussion, where - in the second movement - the piano strings are plucked to evoke a sitar, a traditional baroque theme and variations reimagined for marimba, and a Violin concerto that one moment evokes ancient Persia, then takes us through Russian folk song.   It will also be no surprise listening to his music that part of his musical background is jazz-rock, and all of these influences blend beautifully to create music that is surprising, fresh, and the kind of thing that makes you think, "I want to hear that again."  This is the kind of concert music that is a great introduction to symphonic music for those who think they "don't like classical music."

AUTUMN PASSION: BEETHOVEN

Three Great Sonatas

Roberto McCausland Dieppa, piano

Scruffy Records 020567658

ISBN # 8 88295 10573 6

Official Website of Roberto McCausland Dieppa
Columbia born pianist Dieppa rose to prominence as a classical pianist, winning the Merrill-Lynch prize in 2002, and in 2006 winning the Pro-Arte Hungarica prize for performances of Liszt and Bartok, leading to work with Henry Kissenger for the United Nations to celebrate the 50th anniversay of the Hungarian revolution on 1956.  His work as conductor and composer have broadened to classical fusion, as well as a focus on the music of his native country, and his own works infused with a multi-continental muse.   Here he returns to basic works of Beethoven, given his own unique style and energy.  From the structure of the CD you see his acknowledgement of current listening patterns, where each movement of complete works is listed separately.  It is an acceptance that today's listener may just listen to one particular movement, then move on.


Thanks again to Stephanie Clark, our S.U. practicum, for pulling together the CD pictures, websites, and basic information to help you find out more about the works that pique your interest.
Kara Dahl Russell