The DCD Classical 'Cast

James Higdon is well-qualified to perform the music of organist/composer Jehan Alain. He's a recognized authority of the French organ repertoire, and studied with Marie-Claire Alain, the daughter of the composer and one of the stars of the organ world. Higdon recorded Jehan Alain's complete works for organ, performing on one of the few instruments in this country that matched the original

The VGo label specializes in high-quality classical guitar recordings -- with one exception. They also released a harpsichord recording, done with the same high production values as the rest of the VGo line. The disc, entitled "Teatro Imaginario" features fifteen harpsichord sonatas by Dominico Scaraltti Patrice Mathews is a well-known harpsichordist, and has a solid reputation both as a

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.

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

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

David Baker has enjoyed a remarkable career both as a jazz musician and a classical composer. He's worked with some of the biggest names in both fields (and currently serves as conductor and artistic director of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra. When Baker first started composing in the "third stream," he was commissioned by James Pellerite, a fellow faculty member at Indiana

American composer William Bergsma didn't write much for solo piano. In fact, only three such works are represented in his catalog. Pianist Jill Timmons studied with Bergsma, and in the early 1990's recorded his complete output. The three works benefit from Timmons' insights and discussions with the composer. In this podcast episode of the DCD Classical 'Cast we sample selections from the three

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

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

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

Nadia Boulanger was best known as a teacher of composers. The number of pupils who studied with her between 1907 and 1979 is staggering -- especially when you consider how many of them would go on to become internationally known composers and performers. The list includes Aaron Copland, Lennox Berkeley, Roy Harris, and Philip Glass to name but a few. But first and foremost, Boulanger was a

Daniel Berg is a talented marimbist based in Sweden. In this episode of the DCD Classical 'Cast we feature selections from his debut album, "In a Landscape." The CD collects some of Berg's favorite works for solo marimba together, and provides a fascinating snapshot of the breadth of compositional styles that make up the repertoire. The composers hail from the Americas, Europe, and Japan, where

Hershel Burke, founder of Laurel Records, was a successful film composer. But he was also active in the Los Angeles classical music scene. That was where he met UCLA-based composer Henri Lazarof. Burke was impressed with Lazarof's well-crafted music, and decided it needed a wider audience. The result were several Laurel Record albums exclusively devoted to Lazarof's compositions -- many of them

This episode we play selections from a DTR Release, "Paradise Gardens." The CD is a Frederick Delius recital by Michael Stairs at the legendary Longwood Gardens organ. Even during the 1930's as Delius was composing many of his best-known works, organist Dom Gregory Murray was arranging them for organ. We hear his arrangement of "A Song Before Sunrise." We also feature three other tracks from

In this edition of the DCD Classical 'Cast we showcase a remarkable 1995 release from Laurel Records. Renowned pianist Mark Zeltser teamed up with his fellow countryman, conductor Rudolf Barshai, to record two mainstays for piano and orchestra from their native Russia. The Prokofiev Third Piano Concerto, Op. 26 bristles with emotion and energy in this recording. Zeltser captures Prokofiev's sly

This edition of the DCD Classical 'Cast podcast we feature selections from an exciting new CD from Troubadisc. For some time now, this German-based label has been building up an impressive catalog of chamber and solo music by Max Reger. The latest addition to the series, Max Reger: Piano Pieces showcases the artistry of pianist Wolfram Lorenzen. Lorenzen has appeared on several other of

The story of Luciano Simoni is a fascinating one. This gifted Italian studied composition with one of Respighi's pupils while pursuing a degree in electrical engineering. In time, Simoni was recognized as one of the leading researchers in the field of electrical insulation in the world, and held a prestigious post at the University of Bologna. Yet all the while he continued to compose -- and not

 In 1995 the University of Wisconsin at Madison School of Music celebrated its 100th anniversary. To commemorate the event, the school commissioned six composers with ties to Wisconsin to write works for the various student and faculty ensembles. The composers were then invited to the school to serve as artists in residence, and to be present for the premier of their works. This

 In 1995 the University of Wisconsin at Madison School of Music celebrated its 100th anniversary. To commemorate the event, the school commissioned six composers with ties to Wisconsin to write works for the various student and faculty ensembles. The composers were then invited to the school to serve as artists in residence, and to be present for the premier of their works. This year-long

Vinceno Albrici (1631-1696) spent a great deal of time in the service of Queen Christina of Sweden. So it's no surprise that Swedish-based label Musica Rediviva would release an album dedicated to this composer. The compositions are all "sacred concertos." That is, works that adapted the new concerto style of vocal composition (contrasting arias and choruses) to liturgical use. Albrici was a

This podcast we feature selections from Violin Solo, Vol. 5, with violinist Renate Eggebrecht. This is the latest installment of this fascinating series from Troubadisc. As in the other volumes, Eggebrecht concentrates on solo works composed in the 20th Century. In volume five, she presents a recital of solo violin music by Eastern European composers, such as Sergei Prokofiev and Eduard Tubin.

The "Orchesographie" of 1589 was an important work for Thoinot Arbeau. His goal was to provide the complete manual for the understanding and proper execution of French courtly dance. It included diagrams, detailed descriptions, and music. Mr. Arbeau's work has become one of the primary sources for our understanding of 16th century dance and popular music. This podcast we play selections from