WSCL Blog

Composers of Color - February Series

2012-01-27T11:43:00.000-08:00

A teachable moment:

February is African American History Month.

Most weekdays at 2PM and 6PM we will

begin the music each hour showcasing

one work of a “composer of color”

who has influenced concert music through time.

M-Th at 2PM, and M,Tu,Th,F at 6PM

Music Educators: Click this link

to get a PDF of the reduced Program Guide for teachers

who may wish to use this series either during class time at 2PM,

and/or make “listening assignments” for 6PM.

Please share this as you like.

Just Opened, Jan. 20, 2012

2012-01-20T10:12:00.000-08:00

We had a bit of a musical scoop this week - and extended interveiw with piano virtuoso ... look for the entire interview on our "Classical Chat" podcast.

GODOWSKY-22CHOPIN STUDIES
for the left hand alone
Ivan Ilic, piano
PARATY 311.205
ISBN# 3 760213 650030
Long considered some of the most difficult works in piano repertoire, and also the zenith of Godowsky's compositional works. Godowsky's transcriptions of Chopin's etudes are of mind-boggling complexity. Ivan Ilic, american born of Serbian parents, now living in Paris has recorded 22 of these etudes. Not yet released in the United States, it was released Wed. Jan. 18th in Paris, and the Washington Times did a feature on the works, and on Ilic's release the same day. Not just a delight - an inspiration!

We were very lucky to have a long interview with Ivan Ilic while we previewed many of the works from this amazing, inspiring CD. (available as an import online)
Also available through Ivan Ilic's website. http://ivancdg.com

HOT
ANDREW SIMON, clarinet
Jon Klibonoff, piano
MS 1002
MUSICIAN'S SHOWCASE
Liner quotes on this CD include Dudley Moore's "...exciting stuff." and Michael Tilson Thomas's "Andrew Simon is an outstanding clarinetist." And this is a showcase CD that lives up to the quotes. Whether it is the lyric and beautiful "Sonatina" by Joseph Horovitz, Milhaud's toe-tapping "Brazileira," or Weber's "Grand Duo Concertant, this CD is throughly and easily enjoiable. If you are looking for a CD to introduce a "jazz listener" friend to the world of classical repertoire, this is an easy entre.... something to make them say "that's classical music? I like that!" A real treat.

NEW ORFORD STRING QUARTET
Schubert.Beethoven
BRIDGE 9363
ISBN#0 90404 93632 6
The Orford Quartet was formed in the 1960s in Canada and had an illustrious career, disbanding in 1991. The NEW Orford String Quartet formed in mid 2009 to take on the mantle of the previous group, and was met with immediate acclaim in filling the illustrious shoes. This CD includes two major works for quartet, beautifully performed.

TENOR EXCURSIONS
Stephen Mauk, tenor saxophone
Mary Ann Covert, piano
Recorded in 1995, but new to us, we played a few of the more traditional selections from this greatly varied "showcase" recording. There is a little bit of everything here, from the almost unknown modern works, to beloved works rendered with new charm by being played on the tenor sax. Debussy's "Beau Soir" has new feeling breathed into it here, as well as Walter Hartley's "Poem." It's not at all just sultry sax make-out music, as we also have crisp classical works and modern works that sizzle and pop.

KAROL SZYMANOWSKI
Harnasie, Mandragora,
and Prince Potemkin
NAXOS 570723
ISBN# 7 47313 07237 8
Szymanowski's music can be quite challenging, the largest work on this CD "Harnasie (Ballet Pantomime)" is episodic and atonal. On-air we sampled two movements of a very accessible work for dance, "Mandragora (Pantomime)." Conductor Antoni Wit has championed this early modern composer's work, making multiple recordings for Naxos. This one features the work of the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir with vocal soloists. The soloists always seem to be far away... either recorded in a stage setting, or scored to be "off-stage"... so that they create a dreamlike quality on this recording.

Special thanks this week to Ivan Ilic for giving us so much of his time and thoughtful comments. We hope you enjoied the music and the "classical chat."
Kara Dahl Russell

JUST OPENED, Friday Jan. 13, 2012

2012-01-17T10:57:00.000-08:00

SONG TO MY LOVE
Bulgarian Songs & Dances
for Solo Bassoon & Piano
Maria Jeleztcheva Wilhaber
Tania Tachkova, piano
MSR 1363
ISBN# 6 815 85 1363 2 4
Taking her cue from the great Romantic era composers, bassoonist Wilhaber has taken traditional Bulgarian songs and dances and arranged them into chamber works for bassoon and piano. Some lively, others pensive, there is a real mix, not only in their pacing, but their style, some sounding very plaintively ethnic, almost religious, and others are dances. Unless you are used to hearing solo recitals, you might want to take this CD one or two pieces at a time, but it is a lovely selection of bassoon bon-bons.

URSULA BAGASARJANZ
MOZART.BEETHOVEN.BRAHMS
Bagdasarjanz, violin
GALLO 1352
ISBN# 7 619918 135228
Bagdasarjanz was born in 1944 and seemingly began playing recitals a year or two later! These works by major composers are remastered recordings of moments from her remarkable virtuoso career. The process of remastering is now so good, these recordings sound clean and fresh, a great addition to any collection, allowing us to re-enjoy the mature work of a international violin vituoso.

WEISS/KAPLAN/NEWMAN TRIO
Brahms & Smetana Trios
BRIDGE 9362
ISBN# 0 90404 93622 7
Brilliant basics played to perfection!
My delight of the week!

IMAGES OF A HOMELAND
Frederic Chopin
Marjan Kiepura, piano
PHOENIX CLASSICAL KIE2000
Patria Productions
www.patriamusic.com
American pianist, second generation musician, Kiepura has paid tribute to his Polish heritage by focusing a large part of his career on the works of Chopin. He has appeared internationally, playing at the Polish embassy in Britain, and winning awards. This CD is a reliable collection of Chopin works that could have been titled "Mainly Mazurkas!"... including also a waltz, a prelude, a polonaise and a nocturne.

MIKLOS ROZSA
3 Hungarian Sketches
Cello Rhapsody &
Hungarian Nocturne
Mariusz Smolij, cond.
Budapest Symph. Orch.
Mark Kosower, cello
NAXOS 572285
Rozsa is known throughout the world for his film scores during the zenith of Hollywood's golden film score era. The Thief of Bagdad, Spellbound, and Ben Hur are among his many iconic compositions for film. Here we get to taste his symphonic works. In the Sketches we get some of the flavor of his film works. The Rhapsody may feel the most "serious and legitimate" of the works, but the Nocturne is so deliciously romantic, it is impossible to resist.

We hope you enjoied these CDs, JUST OPENED.
Kara Dahl Russell

Just Opened, January 6, 2012

2012-01-09T09:23:00.001-08:00

Our first JUST OPENED of the New Year we focused on music from around the world, both old and new.

Hans Rott
Symphony & Pastorales Vorspeil
Vienna Radio Symphony Orch.
Dennis Russell Davis, cond.
CPO 999 854
ISBN# 7 61203 98542
German composer Hans Rott, a student of Bruckner, is another of the romantic era composers who showed great promise in his youth, went insane, and died young. The Symphony here was written at the age of 20, and he was dead by 26. Here is an instance where he was truly insane by the "danger to himself and others" standard - in his paranoia he believed that Brahms had loaded the train he was on with dynamite, and when a fellow passenger began to light a cigarette, Rott drew a gun on him. (Brahms had previously passed Rott over for a musical award.) Brahms may have been right in assessing Rotts work to combine brilliance with triviality; but the Pastorale on this recording gives us a real insight to Rott's lyrical brilliance.

VALSES MEXICANOS 1900
Cuarteto Latinoamericano
DORIAN 93224
Salon music from 1900s mexico, played by an excellent quartet, teamed with a double bass, a "historically" plinky sounding piano, and -of all things - a psaltery, give this music a distinct, unique sound that picks you up and places you at a high-toned Mexican resort at the turn of the 1900s. A combination of Waltzes and dance melodies that are sure to get your toes tapping. I personally adore historically informed recordings that give us an added sense of the sonorities that were present and popular in a particular time period, although I admit: for some, this will be excessively odd. My delight of the week.

NEVER FAR AWAY
Music of Bright Sheng
Yolanda Kondonassis, harp
San Diego Symphony Orch.
Jahja Ling, cond.
TELARC 80719
ISBN#0 89408 07192 8
Bright Sheng's work straddles some interesting tonalities. For my money, at his best, his work is an eastern equivalent of Gershwin and Bernstein. His Shanghai Overture, which opens this CD, takes traditional eastern melodies, sets them on western instruments, and juxtoposes them with modern rhythms and clashes, creating a cityscape of modern Shanghai, in much the same way Gershwin did in his "American in Paris" for Paris, and Bernstein did for New York with music for "West Side Story." If you use this as a framework for approaching Sheng's work, it is a useful entre. I personally like traditional Eastern music on traditional instruments, but many westerners find these tonalities too foreign and odd. So, this, too, is another entre... getting your ears used to the traditional sound can help you as you approach this modern take on the folk music. (Sheng is in line with the great Romantic tradition of composers who took their folk music and turned it into the basis of concert works... but composer Ma Sicong has a much more accessible blend for most western ears.) The title work is dedicated to harpist Yolanda Kondonassis, who plays it here. The first two movements are reminiscent of airy new age works... and had me wondering why a harpist of the stature and talent of Kondanassis was really needed... until I heard the 3rd movement - "Doctored Pentatonics" which gives even her a real workout... a pentatonic fugue. This is challenging music, but definitely has its rewards.

ROBIN MILFORD
Piano Songs & Music
Rapahel Terroni, piano
Phillida Bannister, contralto
TOCCATA CLASSICS 0009
ISBN# 5 060113 440099
"Lying on a continuum between the owrk of his friends Gerald Finzi & Ralph Vaughan Williams, Milford's voice is nonetheless distinctive: lyrical, gentle, unemphatic - quietly individual." Milford's songs tap into the "English vein of pastoral melancholy," but even with their darkness, the voice of Bannister adds warmth and richness. Her contralto register lends a nice quality to these songs, which might sound more traditionally "northern isles" with a higher voice. The piano works are not as melancholy as the songs, and add a nice contrast within the program of this CD. Terroni is marvelous, and these piano works range the countryside and town in taking their inspiration.

RECITAL FAVORITES
Volume VI
Barbara Nissman, piano
PIERIAN 0043
Having now heard several of Nissman's "Recital Favorites" CDs, I feel comfortable saying that these are simply reliable collections of varied piano works, and you can safely pick any of them up and have music that is enjoiable and excellently performed. On this, Volume VI she leans abit more toward the modern composers, Ravel's "Gaspard de la Nuit," and Scriabin's Sonata No. 5, but adds Chopin and Schumann for more traditional grounding. She is an artist that has left her exceptional, rarified, world-class touring schedule behind, and now simply graces us with these excellent recordings. Aren't we lucky?!

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

Just Opened Dec. 30, 2011

2012-01-02T08:33:00.000-08:00

This was our HAPPY NEW YEARS EVE Just Opened!

ULTIMATE STRAUSS FAMILY
The Essential Masterpieces
5 CD Set
Vienna Philharmonic Orch.
Willi Boskovsky, cond.
London Decca 4780223
You can Waltz and Polka to your heart's delight with this incredible 5 CD set of favorite works by many members of the Strauss Family. The set relys on the mainstay of Johann Strauss Jr, but many works are included by Strauss Sr., Josef and even Eduard. To delight your dancing feet - My delight of the week.

AN ITALIAN IN VIENNA
Duos by Mauro Giuliani
Louise Schulman, viola
Bill Zito, quitar
DORIAN SOLO LUMINUS 92138
ISBN# - 0 53479 21382 2
It has become fairly common to hear these works played with flute accompanied by quitar... but having the solo instrument be a viola adds a different cast, a more velvety, woodsy combination. Giuliani excelled in work that was accessible and likable, and it has stood the test of time and remains . Light works, sounding as rich as dark chocolate!

VIVALDI & FRIENDS
Apollo's Fire
Cleveland Baroque Orch.
Jeannette Sorrell, cond.
AVIE 2211
ISBN# 8 22252 22112 1
Apollo's Fire can indeed count themselves among Vivaldi's friends... their excellent musicianship on original instruments has lifted them to, and kept them upon the world stage. This CD includes works by Bach and a new work by Rene Duchiffre - a concerto for two violas da gamba, that ends with a tango movement, but never feels astray from the early sound that is the focus of this group and their fans.

Happy New Year - I look forward to opening more CDs with you this year!
Kara Dahl Russell

Just Opened, Friday Dec. 23, 2011

2011-12-26T09:28:00.000-08:00

It's ba-a-a-ck.... Christmas Just Opened Part II

LES LUMIERES DE NOEL
(CHRISTMAS LIGHTS)
Bach, Schutz, Corelli
and Charpentier
HARMONIA MUNDI 2098119
4 CD SET of Cantatas
ISBN #7 94881 65232 7
Realeased as a 4 CD set in 2001, this magnificent set of truly great music is also available separately in previous releases (Bach 901594, Charpentier 901082, Corelli 901407, and Schutz 901310). But if you're looking for a gift to overwhelm the senses that truly is a gift that will be enjoied again and again, get the set. Collegium Vocale Gent, Les Arts Florissnats, Ensemble 415 and Concerto Vocale are the magnificent vocal groups represented here, all extra-ordinary! My Christmas Delight!

Handel MESSIAH
Apollo's Fire
Jeannette Sorrell, cond.
2 CD set and DVD
AVIE 2208
ISBN# 8 22252 22082 7
Exceptional performaces are the rule with Apollo's Fire. The performances and this recording of Handel's Messiah has met with international critical and popular acclaim. An additional DVD provides interviews with the musicians and insights into the conductor's insights into the score and her informed and imaginative interpretation of this beloved work. Many would love to receive this gift of great music, and it would be especially appreciated by those who are fans of early/original instrument performance.

OCEAN'S KINGDOM
Paul McCartney
London Classical Orchestra
John Wilson, cond
Hear Music/TELARC/Concord Release
Paul McCartney's first effort at writing a work for ballet was commissioned by the New York City Ballet and the recording was released in Oct. 2011. It is only fair to mention that McCartney did not do the orchestration, which was done by Andrew Cottee, and the work was arranged by McCartney and Conductor John Wilson. This is indeed a departure from his pop work. It is not the dissonant atonality that is often heard in the concert halls today, but is more like some film music, a flowing background mood, with very little musical "action." Some reviewers have said "many of you are not into classical music, but you may like this." That's true, because it isn't "classical music" at all, except for its intended purpose, to enhance a ballet. If you are looking for McCartney's exceptional way with a melody, you may be disappointed, there is very little of his unrivaled pop prowess evident here. Die hard fans will be very interested in hearing McCartney's efforts to expand and grow. New age ballet music best describes the multiple currents of low key, benignly pleasant energy.

SONGS OF HOPE
The Bach Choir of Bethlehem
Greg Funfgeld, cond.
ANALECKTA 9983
ISBN# 7 74204 99832 5
A range of choral works grace this CD, JSBach's Singet dem Herrn BWV 225, Britten's Rejoice in the Lamb, Bernstein's Chichester Psalms, and Paulus' A Dream of Time. The chorus is joined by marvelous solo voices.

FRANZ LISZT
Life and Works (series)
NAXOS 558005-6
2 CD set
ISBN#6 36943 80052 2
This is an entertaining and educational listen. If you like "books on tape," this is going to be a natural gift for you. In these two CDs we hear the life story of Franz Liszt, narrated and also "acted" with readings from his notebooks, diaries, and letters - his own, and those written to him by others. The story sections last generally 5-9 minutes, and then we get to hear musical selections from Liszt's incredible oeuvre. The musical selections generally around 5 minutes long and these are compiled performances by magnificent virtuosos. The music enhances and illuminates the work that Liszt was doing at the time of his life that was being talked about, so it really is a wonderful history in words and music. This is a series, "life and works" and it makes me want to hear the rest of the series. Included is a booklet that gives a written version of the recorded text so you can follow along. An imaginative and inspiring gift for any pianist, musician, or person who wants to know more about Liszt.

We hope you enjoied this special second Christmas Just Opened.
Kara Dahl Russell

Just Opened, Friday Dec. 16th, 2011

2011-12-15T11:55:00.000-08:00

Our Hanukkah Just Opened Special!
This week we focus on works by Jewish composers and performers... and a truly unique CD that represents new theory of the history of Jews in Tudor England!

BIRDS ON FIRE
Jewish Music for Viols
Fretwork, Renaissance &
Elizabethan Viols
HARMONIA MUNDI 907478
ISBN# 0 93946 74782 4
When is a CD much more than a CD? When it represents a new line of historical thought and research in musical performance. There is, rightfully, a 20 page booklet that accompanies this CD, explaining the ground-breaking and controversial discoveries of a historian who "discovered" the trail of Jews living and working in the virulently religion-devided courts of the Elizabethan and Tudor courts; living and working as court musicians. Musical dynasties of sorts. In a day when different sects of Christians were killing each other for variations in their beliefs, these Jews were "hiding in plain sight" working directly for the kings & queens. Fretwork plays the historical works here - a real pleasure for those who enjoy historic instruments played beautifully... here a consort of viols that manage to evoke all kinds of tonalities... you'll swear you're hearing the accordian and other instruments in the mix. The title work, conversely is a series of new compositions for viol that evoke a story of Jews in hiding, making music in secret to connect their religion. These new works can be much less accessible, but in the movements that "click" (like the 2nd movement I played during Just Opened), you'll hear echos of tango and world music through the voices of the voils. My delight of the week.

A TRIBUTE TO KORNGOLD
New Zealand Symphony Orch.
James Sedares, cond.
KOCH 7302
ISBN# 0 99923 73022 4
Released a decade ago, the music of Korngold is timeless. It stands on it's own, or as an "agent evokateur" of the great films.

MORTON FELDMAN
Piano and String Quartet
Eclipse Quartet and
Vicki Ray, piano
BRIDGE 9369
ISBN# 0 90404 93692 0
We heard only a 10 minute segment of this work on Just Opened. It is, frankly, too challenging to be part of our usual playlist. Feldman is playing with concepts of time and layered tonality in this work, which makes it an interesting puzzle for musicians to work on. Imagine film background music... music that builds very slowly, that does not really "go" anywhere or have any big "action," but it creates a pervasive, slowly shifting mood. That is a good framework to understand the soundscape of this piece. If you, or someone you know is interested in new works, works that take study and attention, this 79 minute work is creating its own place in chamber music repertoire and is worth several listenings.

PORTALS
St. Petersburg Symphony
Vladimir Lande, cond.
David Drosinos, clarinet
MARQUIS 81423
ISBN# 7 74718 14232 0
Here we have a CD of modern works that are tremendously accessible. All 3 works feature clarinet solos, Rich Sowash's Concerto for Clarinet & Orchestra, a chamber Pastoral influenced by Hebrew melody combined with mediteranian spirit by composer Paul Ben-Haim, and a charming, goofy work of film music by John Williams. This CD presents a way to stretch yourself with "brand new" music, but here it is music that ultimately can be played as background music for your life, while you make dinner, have guests, etc.

JEROME LOWENTHAL
with Carmel Lowenthal
Franz Liszt: complete
The Years of Pilgrimage
& Christmas Tree Suite
3 CD set
BRIDGE 9307
ISBN# 0 90404 93072 0
Brilliant recognized pianist Jerome Lowenthal gives us the magnificent 3 CD gift of the complete Franz Liszt's "Years of Pilgrimage"... all 3 series, evoking Liszt's stays and travels through Switzerland, Italy and Naples. The set concludes with a father/daughter rendition of books 2 & 3 of Liszt's Christmas Tree Suite (this is considered to be the "main course" of the Christmas Tree Suite, the first book being simplified, shorter versions of the works and simple carols) for four hands. Carmel is an internationally recognized pianist in her own right. There is a lovely synchonicity to the father daughter pairing, as Lizst wrote this work for the daughter of a friend.

THE AMERICAN STRING PROJECT
10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
Beethove, Haydn, Mendelssohn, Verdi
2CDs & DVD
MSR 1386
ISBN#6 81585 13862 5
We featured Mendelssohn's String Quartet on Just Opened, but all the works here are equally weighty and equally fully realized with magnificent musicianship. The Documentary DVD details the making of ASP's 2009 performance of Prokofiev, Schumann & da Falla, both in rehearsal and in performance.

BERNARD HERRMANN FILM MUSIC 4
The Great Hitchcock Movie Thrillers
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Bernard Herrmann, cond.
London Decca 443-895
ISBN# 0 28944 38952 4
This CD is a 1996 digitalization and re-mastering of Bernard Hermann conducting his own seminal film score music with the magnificent London Philharmonic Orchestra. It is just one of a set of CDs of Herrmann's film music... a great gift by itself, or as a set.

Thanks for listening to Just Opened!
Kara Dahl Russell

Just Opened, Dec. 9, 2011

2011-12-08T12:20:00.000-08:00

The First Christmas Just Opened! ... the first one this year, that is. We' have another Just Opened devoted to Christmas on the 23rd... for some last minute music ideas.

Some of these are not new releases, but special sets worth remembering this year as you collect your musical gift ideas... with a few new releases tossed in.

JOHN RUTTER
The Colors of Christmas
Royal Philharmonic Orch.
The Bach Choir (David Hill, dir.)
John Rutter, cond.
LONDON DECCA 16092
ISBN# 6 02527 82212 9
John Rutter has made an international name for himself with his own compositions, and arrangements of traditional works, primarily, but not exclusively religious works. His arrangements are known for their ability to tug the heart-strings, so Christmas is a natural fit for his talents.

LEGENDES
Matthew Larkin, organ
Caroline Leonardelli, harp
(no CD image available yet)
CENTAUR CLASSICS 110
ISBN# 8 29982 13153 9
This is a new release of large, longer works for harp and organ, many written for this duo, others are transcrptions of works for harp & orchestra, with the organ filling the orchestra seat(s). Many of these cuts are 11 minutes are longer, so these are really "filling." Both the harp and the organ are associated with Christmas music, so this is a CD that sounds natural this time of year, but the works are non-seasonal, so it will be listened to year round.

J.S. BACH
CHRISTMAS ORATORIOS
The Netherlands Bach Society
Jos Van Veldhoven, cond.
2 CD set
CHANNEL 20103
This is an exceptionally beautiful packaging of an exceptional set. The deep wine flocked covered box holds a luxurious picture and information book, in addition to the two CD set of Bach Oratorios: Cantatas for Christmas Day, 2nd Day of Christmas, 3rd Day of Christmas, New Year's Day, the Sunday After New Year's Day, and for Epiphany. It's enough to give you a musical epiphany! A magnificent set, a marvelous gift. First available in 2003, this remains a treasure. My delight of the week.

HISTORIC ORGANS OF NEW ORLEANS
17 Historic Pipe Organs,
The Bayous to Natchez
various organists
2 CD set
OHS 89
(Organ Historcal Society)
ISBN# 0 34069 60892 1
The organ has been closely associated with religious works, and therefore Christmas, for centuries. This 2 CD set explores some of that tradition, but also explores dances, marches, fantasias and fireworks for and on the organ. The set includes a 16 page booklet with pictures of the historic organs played and recorded for this set.

CHRISTMAS WITH CANTUS
CTS 1211
ISBN# 0 55020 12112 9
Certainly the foremost men's chorus in the United States, Cantus rivals any men's chorus in the world. Their accapella recordings of traditional and world music have crossed all boundaries on the music Charts. This is their new release for Christmas 2011.

NOEL
Carols & Chants for Christmas
Anonymous 4
4 CD set
The four titles of the CDs in this set are: 1) Legends of St. Nicholas - medieval European Chant and Polyphony, 2) Wolcum Yule - Celtic and British Songs and Carols, 3) On Yools Night - Medieval Carols and Motets, and 4) A Star in the East - Medieval Hungarian Christmas Music. Previously released separately, and this set released in 2005, it remains a fantastic gift for those interested in early music and flawlessly blended accapella singing. Anonymous 4 is another group whose popularity has crossed all musical borders.

We hope these CD have sparked the gift-giving spirit for your holiday!
Just Opened returns next week with some suggestions for Hannukah gift-giving.
We hope your holidays are filled with beautiful music!
Kara Dahl Russell

Just Opened, Dec. 2, 2011

2011-12-08T10:25:00.000-08:00

Chris Ranck hosted Just Opened this week. Here are the CDs he shared with you:

RAY STILL
A Chicago Legend
Baroque Oboe Sonatas
Ray Still, oboe
(Vivaldi work includes:
Leonard Sharrow, bassoon
Robert Conant, harpsichord)
NIMBUS 5672
ISBN #7 10357 56722 3

JS BACH
Trio Sonatas
The Brook Street Band
AVIE 2199
ISBN# 8 2252 2199 2 0

MIKHAIL SIMONYAN
Two Souls
Khachaturian/Barber
London Symphony Orch.
Kristjan Jarvi, cond.
Chris took me by surprise with this one. I can usually depend on him to "go for Baroque." This week he kept raving about the Khachaturian. He says it has "hard corners" - it's not something you'll turn on when you want something comfy, but it's like reading a difficult book, a challenge, but exciting and worth the effort. This CD is Chris's "delight of the week."

THE BLAIR STRING QUARTET
from Mozart to Ravel
Warner Bros 45855
ISBN# 0 9362 45855 2 7

HAYDN
Piano Sonatas
Andrew Rangell, piano
BRIDGE 9313
ISBN#0 90404 93132 1
Andrew Rangel is as prolific as he is talented... he has many, many CDs to choose from, and the Bridge label has a solid "stable" of piano virtuosos. Chris says that Haydn is "always dependable."

We hope you enjoied this Just Opened with Chris Ranck.
Kara Dahl Russell

Just Opened, Nov. 25, 2011

2011-11-23T11:58:00.000-08:00

SYMPHONY NO. 5
Gustav Mahler
Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orch.
Roger Norrington, cond.
Hanssler 93.165
ISBN# 4 010276 01845 2
Yes, this is the one. This is the symphony with the adagio movement that causes our minds and hearts to take an out of body experience. It is all too easy to forget how magnificent the entire symphony is. Mmmm-Mahler's 5th...my delight of the week!

RITE
Stravinsky/Revueltas
Simon Bolivar Youth Orch.
of Venezuela
Gustavo Dudamel, cond.
D.G. 787 754
ISBN# 0 28947 78775 4
While all rave about the ability of a huge, young orchestra to approach works of this difficulty, critics are mixed (at best) on whether the size and youth of the orchestra is the best for Stravinsky's ground-breaking work. Paired here with a work often compared to Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring" is "Night of the Maya" by Reveultas, and closing with the crowd pleasing "Brazilian Dance" by Guarnieri. I'm not too fond of Stravinsky's Rite, myself, but I find "Night of the Maya" more accessible and evocative.

MUSIC FOR THE DUKE OF LERMA
Gabrieli Consort & Players
Paul McCreesh, cond.
ARCHIVE 471 694
2 CD set
ISBN# 0 28947 16942 0
Excellent musicianship paired with historical research makes this a real find. This 2 CD set captures the music from a particular historic event: "Music for the translation of the blessed sacrament into the Collegiate Church of San Pedro in Lerma (Spain). First vespers and the Salve Service as it was celebrated in October 1617 in the presence of King Philip III and the Duke of Lerma." As with music events to this day, it included works from earlier time periods and contemporary works. The range is from the mid 1500s to 1617.
I mentioned on air that for a "total immersion gift" this book, one of my favorites, paired with the CD above would practically transport you back to the turn of the 1600s!

The Book of the Courtier
Baldasar Castiglione
Written while living in the court of the Duke of Urbino, Castiglione's work details conversations & discussions about what constitutes the perfect Courtier and Lady. This is one of my favorite books, perhaps becuase it shows that what we humans consider to laudible in character and behavior has changed so little over the centuries. If I recall correctly, the Duke of Lerma and his court are mentioned in this book; in any case, the court of the Duke of Urbino is certainly "of a kind" with the Duke of Lerma's. The pairing of this music and book would be a comprehensive gift for a creative anachronist and/or history buff. (Available online - in several print versions from different publishers.)

BASSOON AND FRIENDS
Winning works of the
2010 Bassoon Chamber
Music Composition Competition
Paula Brusky, bassoon
BCMCC Chamber Players
MSR 1367
ISBN# 6 81585 13672 0
If your taste in music is aggressively modern & atonal... this is for you. I adore the bassoon, but I love it for it's mellow melodic vocal qualities, and that isn't how it's being used here. We're exploring the edges of sound possible for the bassoon in these works, pushing the limits, and that is precisely why these works won a bassoon champer composition competition. Fascinating for a bassoonist, without doubt. On air I played the most accessible of this group, a handful of minatures. These are still edgy... they are an hommage to Stravinsky. You atonal, experimental modernists know who you are. This one is for you!

I hope you enjoied these new CDs... Just Opened!
Kara Dahl Russell

Just Opened, Nov. 18, 2011

2011-11-23T10:56:00.000-08:00

ALEXANDER AGRICOLA
A SECRET LABYRINTH
Huelgas Ensemble
Paul Van Nevel, cond.
SONY 60760
ISBN# 0 7464-60760-6
The exquisite voices of Huelgas Ensemble set their sights on the acapella works of Alexander Agricola (1446-1506). They give us a cross section of his mostly non-imitative polyphonic works (similar to Hildegard von Bingen's works), by sectioning the CD into 3 parts: "chant sur le livre"(sing on the book) style, sacred masses, and chansons. We had a give away of this CD today, and it was immediately snapped up. Not everyone likes these early vocal works, but for those who do... this is it! Truly uplifting.

DREAMSCAPE
Lullabies from around the world
Heidi Grant Murphy
and Aureole
KOCH 7433
ISBN# 0 99923 74332 3
Murphy has had a charmed career, from opera stages to Broadway. The individuals of the Aureole trio all have solo careers and play in other groups, as well as in this trio. But what really sets this CD of lullabies into a class by itself are the luscious arrangements of each piece. Most fall into a "high broadway" style, a slight pop edge, but mainly a luscious romanticism at their core, lilting in the extreme. The opening cut of "Sleep Baby Don't Cry" arranged by Richard Rodney Bennett has crossed over on all kinds of stations, the caribbean lullabye hits all the right notes, and each cut on this CD hits the same level of breathless expressiveness. I have all ready purchased this one to give as a gift to new parents for the baby (and for them)!

LISZT Wild & Crazy
2 CD set
multiple artists
D.G. 15651
ISBN# 0 28947 79526
We had a give-away copy of this CD set which also was snapped up within the first minute. This is a compilation CD set of magnificent artists playing the works of Franz Liszt. Almost all solo piano works the Berlin Phil and the London Symphony Orch join in on two of the works. The marvelous thing about this set is that we not only get to hear all these great works, but the variety of the virtuosos also means that we get to hear Liszt through different prisms. Vladimir Horowitz, Mikhail Pletnev, Marta Argerich, Yundi Li, Alic Sara Ott, are only about 1/2 of the magnificent solists, familiar and new-on-the-scene. I'm not always a fan of compilation CDs, but when it works, it works like THIS!
My delight of the week! A fantastic gift idea for anyone who has ever taken a piano lesson!

GERMAN ORGAN MUSIC vol.2
Joseph Payne, organ
NAXOS 550965
ISBN# 4 891030 509658
When people ask me what is the most difficult instrument to play, I point to the organ. Not only are there multiple keyboards to be played, but stops to be pulled, and you have to play with your feet. It is no surprise some of history's greatest composers began by playing the organ. It is unfortunate then, that so many CDs of organ works get bogged down in drone of religious monotony. Very lucky we are then, to find CDs like this; that vary religious works with fantasias and sonatas, by a wealth of composers.

JOHN RUTTER
A Song in Season
The Cambridge Singers
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
John Rutter, cond.
Collegium 135
ISBN# 0 40888 01352 5
John Rutter has made a name for himself on strength of choral, religious works that pull the heart strings with their shifting, evokative harmonies. This CD does not disappoint. Rutter conducts his own works here, with magnificent singers and soloists, for a CD that will be listened to all through the year, not just during the holidays. I couldn't wait for our Christmas special for this one, and you won't want to wait either. These works were so beautiful that I was receiving calls about it while it was still playing on the air. Just beautiful.

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

2011-11-17T07:45:00.000-08:00

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra conductor Marin Alsop joined On Delmarva host Marc Steiner recently to discuss the massive new piece that the symphony will be be playing this Friday and Saturday, the 17th and 18th at the Meyerhoff: Arthur Honegger's Jeanne d’Arc au Bücher (“Joan of Arc at the Stake”). The performance will involve over 300 people, as the orchestra, chorus, and actors act out the oratorio that focuses on the life of the 15th century French hero.

For tickets, click here or call 410.783.8000.

Click here to listen to this interview.

A little bit more about the theorbo....

2011-11-08T12:55:00.000-08:00

Andreas Martin and his theorbo (lute). It can be pronounced

thee or' bo, tay' or ba, thor' ba (mixtures thereof) or for something completely different, sometimes it is called a chittarone!

We played some of his work this afternoon from his CD,
Bach works for lute (Harmonia Mundi 987051).
em>Notice the strings on the left that hang beyond the fingerboard (similar to a harp-quitar).

Here is a link to his bio. http://web.me.com/andreasmartin/Andreasmartin.es/home.html

I hope this was a little entree to the world of this member of the fascinating lute family!
Kara Dahl Russell

No "Just Opened" on Friday Nov. 18, 2011

2011-11-07T14:26:00.000-08:00

I will be away on Friday Nov. 18, 2011.
We will not have Just Opened from 1PM to 4PM, but ...

...guest host Scott Duncan (whom you usually hear on Saturday afternoons) will be sharing a great mix of light classics & pops concert fare. Enjoy! (And I'll be back on Nov. 18th with more new releases, Just Opened.)

Kara Dahl Russell

Just Opened, Friday Nov. 4th

2011-11-07T13:55:00.000-08:00

We featured only 4 CDs this week on Just Opened:

RUSSIAN POPS
Russian Symphony Orch.
Mark Gorenstein, cond.
POPE Music 1015
ISBN# 7 04185 1015 2 0
My delight of the week! A pops-concert on CD, a true cross section of beloved, mostly upbeat, sometimes off-beat, by Russian composers: Dunajevsky, Shostakovich, Khrennikov, Sviridov, Gavrilin, Prokofiev, and Khachaturian. Any one of these is a natural fit for a pops concert, all together, they are easy listening of the symphonic kind.

Virtuoso BAROQUE
Michala Petri, recorders
Lars Hannibal, archlute
OUR Recordings 220604
ISBN# 7 47313 16046 4
Released 10/25/11
Michala Petri & Lars Hannibal celebrate the 20th Anniversary of playing together as a duo with this sparkling collection of Baroque works.

13 WAYS
of looking at the Goldberg
Lara Downes, solo piano
TRITONE 59140
ISBN# 8 84501 59140 9
Released 9/13/11
Lara Downes plays the work of 13 modern composers who have re-imagined the variations on the original J.S. Bach Goldberg Variation. These new variations range from "atonal" to melodic, baroque-inspired to ghostly modern.

EMERSON STRING QUARTET
Mozart, The Prussian Quartets
SONY 935 982
ISBN# 8 8697 93598 2 6
Released 10/18/11
Having recorded together for many many years, Philip Seltzer and Eugene Drucker switched off playing first and second violin, while Lawrence Dutton played viola with David Finckelo playing cello. Early in their career they had recorded Mozart quartets, and they are a staple of their concerts, but this is their first return to Mozart for recording in 20 years. Pure excellence, pure joy.

I'll be away next week, & there will be no JUST OPENED.
We'll have more fresh releases on Friday Nov. 18th
Kara Dahl Russell

Just Opened, Oct. 28, 2011

2011-11-01T13:14:00.000-07:00

The Halloween Scene! We kicked off a weekend of Halloween music with a creepy selection of new CDs... Just Opened.

A SHAKESPEARE ODE
on the Witches and Fairies
Musicians of the Globe
Philip Pickett, cond.
PHILIPS 446689
ISBN# 0 28944 66892 6
A Baroque cantata in homage of Shakespeare (and the land that bore him) and a tribute to his faires, sprites and witches. A fully formed work by a composer who died very young.

SHOSTAKOVICH
The Tale of the Priest
and His Worker, Balda &
Suite from Lady MacBeth
Russian Philharmonic Orch.
Thomas Sanderling, cond.
D.G. 6507
ISBN# 0 28947 76112 9
Fun, cartoony music, an easy introduction to Shastakovich's work.

JOHN CORIGLIANO
The Red Violin &
Phantasmagoria
Michael Ludwig, violin
Buffalo Phil. Orch.
Joann Falletta, cond.
NAXOS 559671
ISBN# 6 36943 96712 6
Corigliano's masterful, modern, challenging Violin concerto is preceeded on this recording by Phantasmagoria, a suite from his opera "The Ghosts of Versailles." Perfect music for your haunted house!

PAYSAGES
Susanna Phillips, soprano
Myra Huang, piano
BRIDGE 9356
ISBN# 0 90404 93562 6
3 Art Song series, Debussy's late "Forgotten Arias", Messiaen's "Poemes Pour Mi" and 4 songs by Faure (favorites). A diverse presentation, both highlighted and made difficult (for fans of melody) by Messiaen's work - it sets Phillips apart from the pack... she's a soprano to watch.

Ce Diabolic Chant
Ballades, Rondeaus & Virelais
of the late fourteenth century
The Medieval Ensemble of London
L'OISEAU LYRE 4759119
(London Decca)
ISBN# 0 28947 59119 1
A joyfully perverse selection of truly early music, expertly performed. Non-imitative polyphony fans rejoice. Mostly a cappella, some works are augmented by early instruments. Not really as "diabolic" as the title, more the torment of courtly love.

RACHMANINOFF
Conducts Rachmaninoff
The Philadelphia Orch.
Sergei Rachmaninoff, cond.
RCA 62532
ISBN# 0 9026 62532 2 7
Digitalization of historic recordings from the 1929 & 1939.These works remain in the regular concert repertoire. Pristine clear sound is not what you will get here, but I would think anyone interested in playing, performing and studying the work of Rachmaninoff has to be interested to hear how he directed his great and well known works himself. For that reason, this is my delight of the week.

THE LISZT PROJECT
Pierre-Laurent Aimard, piano
2 CD set
D.G. 15944
ISBN# 0 28947 79439 4
In the midst of the begginning deluge of Liszt recordings (for this 200th anniversary year of his birth), comes this thoughtful set. The majority of the works here are chosen for their influence on later music greats, and the resultant works are also included. Works by Liszt joined by their progeny by Berg, Scriabin, Bartok, Ravel, and others.

We hope you enjoied our creepy crawly Just Opened.
Kara Dahl Russell

Just Opened, Friday Oct. 21, 2011

2011-10-21T11:29:00.000-07:00

"DRIVE IN FIVE" Fall Fundraiser
Thank you to all of you listeners who contributed to our short, five day pledge drive. Your financial support is an essential part of public broadcasting. (It's not too late, you can still donate now, online!)
Thank you!

SHUFFLE.PLAY.LISTEN
Christopher O'Riley, piano
Matt Haimovitz, cell
2 CD set
Oxingale Records 2019
Released on Sept. 27, 2011
Host of "From the Top," Christopher O'Riley is a magnificent pianist, joined here by cellist Matt Haimovitz. This 2 CD set is self sub-titled "A collaboration that blurs the boundaries between classical and pop." This could be the perfect gift for someone who is unfamiliar with classical music, and this particular combination of cello and piano chamber music. In a program mix intentionally intended to be downloaded and shuffled, or self-selected, the first CD intersperces a transcription of Franz Waxman's evocative "Vertigo" film score, with works by modern composers like Janacek, Piazzola and Stravinsky. The second CD features transcriptions of music by rock and pop bands, against/with compositions by John McLaughlin (host of Exploring Music and St. Paul Sunday).

THE COMPLETE TAFELMUSIK
Georg Philipp Telemann
Freiburg Baroque Orch.
Petra Mullejans, cond.
Gottfried Von Der Goltz, cond.
4 CD set
Harmonia Mundi 902042.45
ISBN #7 94881 96772 8
MY DELIGHT OF THE WEEK! The magnificent performances of Freiburg Baroque Orchestra (conducted by 2 over the course of the full set- Mullejans, and Von Der Goltz) in a truly "table worthy" - coffee table, that is - presentation that is beautiful and the art work is witty and graphically simple and strong. Of course the set has the informative booklet that one has come to expect. Works from Overture suites to Sonatas and Quintets. Lovely. Contented sigh!
BEETHOVEN
The Early Quartets
The Budapest Quartet
(from live recordings made
at the Library of Congress,
1943-1962
BRIDGE 9342
ISBN# 0 90404 93422 3
This 2 CD set is a cleaned-up, digitalization of reel-to-reel recordings made of the Budapest Quartet playing live at the Library of Congress. As I said on air, if you are an audiofile who must have flawlessly clean sound, this will not be your cup of tea, there is still some background hiss in many sections. BUT: if you are a music lover who is interested in historic performances and hearing the interpretation of works by great chamber groups of the past, this is it!

LANG LANG
Liszt, my piano hero
Lang Lang, piano
Vienna Philharmonic
Valery Gergiev, cond.
SONY 891412
ISBN# 8 8697 89141 2 5
Release Date Oct. 4, 2011, Companion DVD release: Nov. 22, 2011
Piano phenomenon Lang Lang lends his exhuberant attention to the intricate and beautiful work of legendary pianist Franz Liszt. 2011 is the 200th anniversary of Liszt's birth year, so we can expect many many releases of his work. Lang Lang is one of a kind. He has tackled almost every composer and genre in his breathtaking career so far. In the days of Chopin, Liszt and Schumann a pianist was not considered a real concert artist until he was playing his own compositions. Lang Lang is still young. It will be fascinating to see what he composes when he gets around to it. Until then, we have his magnificent performances of the works of great composers, entertaining, powerful, musical, magical.

We hope you enjoied JUST OPENED, and tune in next Friday at 1PM for new realeases, just opened, with a Halloween-y flavor!
Kara Dahl Russell

JUST OPENED, Friday Oct. 14, 2011

2011-10-19T07:57:00.000-07:00

This week we took a musical trip to Greece, with a focus on Greek musicians, Greek composers, and music inspired by mythology and the mediteranian islands. We got several calls and emails during and after this program, wanting info. and telling us how much they enjoied this beguiling music.

MILOS KARADAGLIC
The Guitar
D.G. 15579
ISBN# 0 28947 79547 6
Often when the new guitar "phenomenon" releases a CD, it will be the same recital and competition pieces that we've heard many times over. What a refreshing change for this greek musician to choose many works which reflect both his home country, and the cross-cultural mix within the region where he grew up. There are, of course, works by Tarrega and Albeniz, but also the added spice of Greek composers, and other rarely heard works.

ROBERT PATTERSON
The Book of Goddesses
Maya, Clockwise, and
The Am. Modern Ensemble
AMR 1034
(Am. Modern Recordings)
ISBN# 6 16895 05422 8
****** This CD not in stores until
Dec. 6, 2011 ******
Three large chamber works for various flutes, harp, violin and percussion, by modern comoposer Robert Patterson, in part commissioned by The New York State Council on the Arts. The title work is largely influenced by world music, in a series devoted to nine Goddesses where the music for each reflects her native country's music. Freya's Tears is very new age influenced, and the final trio, Embracing the Wind feels both classical and modern at the same time. With it's beautiful artwork from the book "The Book of Goddesses" and it's gilded cover, it's a lovely present for the right every-day goddess in your life. The varied, ethinic "world music" flavor of the title work makes this my "delight of the week."

ZORBA'S DANCE
GREEK MUSIC FOR SOLO PIANO
Dino Mastroyiannis, piano
MSR 1381
ISBN# 6 81585 13812 0
Many of the works on this CD are excerpts of much larger works, collections of works with 40 tunes each. Some of these are simple Greek folktunes, and some are complex nocturnes by Greek composers. This CD was obviously a labor of love for Dino Mastroyiannis, and supported by a larger artisitic community (it was recorded in the Architecture Dept. of the University of Thessaly, Greece). This CD is entirely accessible, and I would think many pianists who are performing would want to listen to this to glean some fresh, rarely performed repertoire to add to their mix.

JOHN ADAMS
Violin Concerto
Chloe Hanslip, violin
Royal Philharmonic Orch.
Leonard Slatkin, cond.
NAXOS 559302
ISBN#6 3943 93022
This CD presents a very well thought out mix of music, like a well planned concert. The featured work is modern, often a-melodic, and challenging to the average concert listener. It is tempered with other much more accessible works, notably two works by Franz Waxman (of Hitchcock film score fame), and a theme from John Corigliano's "The Red Violin."

CYPRESS STRING QUARTET
The American Album
ISBN# 6 66449 73662 9
******This CD not in stores until
Nov. 8, 2011 ******
A strong showing by violinists Cecily Ward & Tom Stone, violist Ethan Filner, and cellist Jennifer Kloetzel. "Two Sketches Based on Indian Themes" by Charles Tomlinson Griffes is comfortably sandwiched between Antonin Dvorak's "American" String Quartet No. 12, and Samuel Barber's String Quartet in B minor - the central adagio movement of this work is so often heard alone now, that is a treat to hear it in context within the full work.

ROBERT IAN WINSTIN'S
OEDIPUS REQUIEM
(text by Sophocles)
Kiev Philharmonic,
Chambre Choir Kyiv,
Chamber Choir CREDO,
conducted by the composer
ERMMedia 6789
ISBN# 6 07221 67892 8
In a translation by David Perkins, award winning composer Robert Ian Winstin has created a requiem that is both requiem and a work of theatre. Dramatic and atonal where needed for dramatic impact, it is also melodically accessible and reminds us of the historians who believe that song may have played a large part in Greek plays as they were originally performed.

Tune in next week for more music, Just Opened.
Kara Dahl Russell

Just Opened, Friday Oct. 7, 2011

2011-10-07T11:22:00.000-07:00

We continue to work on our new website, so this week's JUST OPENED blog will be brief again. I hope you enjoyed these! Kara Dahl Russell

ANTON BRUCKNER
Symphony No. 5 in B flat
Orch. de la Suisse Romande
Marek Janowski, cond.
PENTATONE 351
ISBN# 8 27979 03516 6
Beginning with an adagio, and having 3 adagio sections, this work of Bruckners is as laconic as a summer's day, and from the very first notes, we are reminded of why Mahler-ite film-maker Visconti often used Bruckner to limn out his film scores.

BOLOGNINI
Ennio Bolognini, cello
Donald Kemp, piano & organ
MUZELLE 100 2
ISBN# 7 84744 01002 9
Piatagorsky called Bolognini "the greatest cellist." Fortunate for us that many of his performances were taped, and are now available re-mastered on CD.

FERDINAND RIES
Symphonies 4 & 6
Zurich Chamber Orch.
Howard Griffiths, cond.
CPO 836
ISBN# 7 61203 98362 9

SCHUBERT LIVE
Volume Three
Imogen Cooper, piano
2 CD set
AVIE 2158
ISBN# 8 2252 21582 3

RICHARD MARGISON SINGS VERDI
Canadian Opera Co. Orch.
Richard Bradshaw, cond.
CBC 5213
ISBN# 0 59582 52132 8
This is a nice assortment of fairly short (longest is 10 min) Verdi pieces, featuring tenor Richard Margison. In addition to arias are many preludes and entr'acts that give various instrumentalists a nice showcase, and serve as auditory palatte cleaners before the next luxurious aria.

Just Opened, Fri. Sept. 30, 2011

2011-10-07T10:38:00.001-07:00

We're in the middle of revamping our website, so the Just Opened blog entries will be "just the facts, m'am" until we're back to full speed. We hope you heard, and find, something new that is YOUR delight of the week!

SYMPHONIC BRASS
Black Dyke Band
Nicholas Childs, cond.
NAXOS 570726
ISBN# 7 47313 07267 5

FREDERICK MOYER, PIANO
Edward MacDowell/
Clara Schumann
The Plodiv Philharmonic Orch.
Nayden Todorov, Cond.
JRI 122
ISBN# 7 14826 01222 1

FORBIDDEN DANCE
Dances and Diminutions of
The Italian Baroque
Ensemble for the Seicento
MUSICIANS SHOWCASE 1073
ISBN# 6 81585 10732 4

SOL GABETTA, cello
DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH
Cello Concerto & Sonata
RCA 359612
ISBN# 8 86973 59612 8

WILLIAM S. BENNETT
Piano Sextet & Sonata Duo
Ilona Prunyi & Kalman Drafi, pianos
Gyorgy Kertesz, cello
MARCO POLO 223304

ARGENTINA TRIO
The Piano Trios of
Felix Mendelssohn
BRIDGE 9338
ISBN #0 90404 93382 0

We hope you enjoied these selections. Join us next week
on Fridays at 1PM for JUST OPENED.
Kara Dahl Russell

Just Opened, Friday Sept.23, 2011

2011-09-28T13:23:00.000-07:00

Our theme this week: Northern Lights, the music of Russia & the Netherlands

SERGEI RACHMANINOFF
Vassily Primakov, piano
BRIDGE 9348
ISBN# 0 90404 93482 7

Primakov lends his prolific virtuousity to the works of Rachmaninoff.

JAN VAN GILSE
Nonet.Quartet.Trio
Viotta Ensemble &
Ebony Quartet
NM CLASSICS90256
ISBN# 8 713309 920970

Late Romantic period composer Van Gilse was definitely forward looking. His 1916 Nonet begins sounding very challenging, a-tonal and a-melodic, but the following 3 movements are pure melodic sweetness.
His later works continue this disparate sound scape, with a growing ease of blending.

BALAKIREV
and Russian Folksong
Russian Philharmonic
Konstantin Krimets, cond.
Joseph Banowetz, piano
Alton Chung Ming Chan, piano
TOCCATA CLASSICS 18
ISBN# 5 060113 440181
This CD begins with Balakirev's Grand Fantasia on Russian Folksongs, a sweeping orchestral work. The second 2/3 of this CD is a rare juxtaposition of original accapella Russian Folksong, each followed by the piano (4 hands) work Balakirev wrote based on the song. The voices are magnificent, and this rare anthology with the works compared back to back is a lesson in composition. Totally enjoyable.

THE GOLDEN AGE
OF RUSSIAN GUITAR II
Oleg Timofeyev,
7 string Russian Guitar
DORIAN 93203
ISBN# 0 53479 32032 2

Magnificent quitar music with the typical darker cast of Russian folk music. Also some real gems based on rarely heard Russian works.

HAKON BORRESEN
Orchestral Works
Aalborg Symphony Orchestra
Owain Arwel Hughes
DACAPO 224105
ISBN# 7 30099 98052 4
Late romantic music from a lesser known composer... lush and lovely.
My delight of the week!

24 CAPRICCIOS
FOR VIOLIN
from the Netherlands
NM CLASSICS 92120
ISBN# 8 713309 921205
2 CD set

If you have a violinist on your gift list, this is the perfect thing. Mainly new works, played by three rising virtuosos.

Join us next Friday at 4PM for JUST OPENED
Kara Dahl Russell

Just Opened, Friday Sept. 16, 2011

2011-09-19T09:56:00.000-07:00

We had a special focus this day on a rare, beautiful, and controversial CD by Internationally renowned flautist Stephen Schultz.

STEPHEN SCHULTZ
Boismortier Concertos
for Five Flutes
DORIAN 90803
ISBN# 0 53479 08032
Joseph Bodin de Boismortier gave a gift to all those who play the flute, a set of concertos/sonatas (the terms were fairly interchangable at the time) to be played by 5 flutes. With the penchant of the Baroque for both ornamentation and order, these works are a tribute to the versatility of fairly new (at the time) transverse flute (as opposed to the recorder). Enter Stephen Schultz, a baroque flautist of virtuosity, and enough confidence to do what few classical musicians have the nerve to do... to thumb his nose - or to literally thumb his flute - at the musically stolid. He took a page from the rock musician's oevre of multi-tracking, and has made a glorious recording of these works playing all five parts himself. Controversial, because many music critics are purists who feel that a work for five, should only be played by five, not one. They didn't spare him a snyde comment or two for not looking like an air-brushed 22 year old model, either. This is a case where wisdom, talent and nerve wins.... hands up! Fortunately there are enoughwho have recognized Schultz's virtuosity and verve, including specialtiy flute magazines. If these works had been recorded by five magnificent flautists, it would have been a rarity. To have these works so marvelously performed using modern technology as a showpiece for one virtuoso, it is a show stopper. Did I need to mention this is my delight of the week?

And I must also add a special thanks to Stephen Schultz for taking time out of his busy schdule of teaching and performing to speak to me about the process of making this CD, and especially his affable frankness. No pretensions, just a good chat, that I found fascinating. I hope you will too. The interview will remain up on our "classical chat podcast".... but here's the link immediately:
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/delmarva/local-delmarva-986737.mp3

OFRA HARNOY
Vivaldi Concertos
Igor Oistrakh, violin
Toronto Chamber Orch.
Paul Robinson, cond.
RCA 61578
Beautiful and supremely talented Russian-born cellist Ofra Harnoy gives her full attention to Vivialdi's cello concertos, including one for violin (Igor Oistrakh) and cello, and another one that had it's premier recording with this CD. Her intonation and musicality are sublime, making the most of these works which generally highlight a darker, more melancholy side of Vivaldi.

FELIX MENDELSSOHN
Concerto 1&2 for
Two Pianos & Orchestra
Joshua Pierce, piano
Dorothy Jonas, piano
Slovak State Phil. Orch.
Brstrik Rezucha, cond.
MSR 1330
ISBN# 6 81585 1331 2 6
These Concertos are considered the musical equivalent of the Recency or Empire period art works. 2 of Mendelssohn's more mature, understated works, beautifully performed.

Shifrin Plays Shifrin
David Shifrin, clarinet
Lalo Shifrin, composer/cond.
Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
ALEPH RECORDS 037
ISBN# 6 51702 63582
Life and music brought together two distant relatives, both recognized and lauded musicians in his own right; one a composer, one a clarinetist. After many people asking them if they were related, they eventually figured out that their grandfathers were cousins - in the 1920s, one emigrated to Brazil, one to New York. The music reflects the inter-continental cityscapes, and is reminiscent of Bernstein's compositions. Decidedly modern, and also lyric, rhythmic, and engaging. Two of the works are for clarinet and piano, one a "city" collection for clarinet and orchestra.

I hope you enjoied the variety of music this week on JUST OPENED.
Kara Dahl Russell

Just Opened, Friday Sept. 9, 2011

2011-09-12T08:40:00.000-07:00

Our broadcast of JUST OPENED this Friday was primarily devoted to remembrance of the 10th Anniversary of the Sept. 11 terroist attacks & those who lost their lives, and those who gave their lives in service.

GOTTSCHALK
Music for Piano
Lambert Orkis, historic piano
BRIDGE 9206
ISBN# 0 90404 92062
In our current music/sound saturated world, rarity is a real gift. And so these performances by virtuoso Lambert Orkis, on an 1865 Chickering concert grand, housed at the Smithsonian Institution, is a musical present from the past. This is the composer's personal preference of piano & what he played in concert. Gottschalk is perhaps best known for his colorful, upbeat, and shorter works, which represent the cross pollination of cultures in New Oreleans, LA in the mid 1800s. Rare again, are recordings of his works for the concert hall, more serious in tone, but still infused with Gottschalk's unerring sense of what is in the popular heart. In the style of the day, some of the works have a pseudo-religious tone, as in his "grand caprice religieuse" The Song of the Martyr. Works like this were contrived to be "suitable and edifying" for young ladies to play... to provide religious meditation while playing. The popularity of these works waned quickly, but they are a window to the segmentaion of society, and a fascinating cultural landmark from the very "precious" period in 1800s America. This is my delight of the week.

MOZART: REQUIEM
Wiener Singerein
Berlin Philharmonic
Herbert Von Karajan, cond.
D.G. 477 7164
ISBN # 0 28947 77164 7
This CD couples two choral works by Wolfgang Amadeaus Mozart, his Requiem and His "Corornation" Mass. This recording has been reviewed as "one of the most flexible and accomplished versions of the work." This is a re-release and digitalization of a recording from 1975. The sound is gorgeous, the performance magnificent.

ISTANPITTA II
New York's
Ensemble for Early Music
Frederick Renz, dir.
Lyrichord Early Music Series
LEMS 8022
ISBN #7 44457 8022 2 9
I originally chose this CD of works from the 1200s and 1300s as an auditory "break" from the heavier requiems. But, as often happens with music, this very early music formed it's own symbiosis with the other works. One of the traditional instruments in this grouping of pieces is the bagpipe, so often heard at memorials, and here it was in ensemble with other period instruments in it's "natural habitat"... court dance music! The music from Early Europe (France & England 1200s, Italy 1300s) has a stark quality... the instruments all have "ping" (the term used for a broadway voice that can really carry... Merman had ping), when you combine this sound quality with the inevitable historical/timeless emotional resonance, you have something really special that is old and almost new again! Not everyone's cup of tea, but if you're one of the 10 thousands attending the Maryland Renaissance Festival, or an early music fan as I am, you'll want to look this up.

Gioacchino Rossini
PETITE MESSE SOLENNELLE
The King's Consort
Robert King, cond.
Hyperion 67570
ISBN# 0 64571 17570 6
This beautiful and unusual work was recorded with two historic pianos from the 1800s, played by Gary cooper and Matthew Halls, and harmonium played by Mark Williams. This is a specific historic version of this work, "as performed in the Paris town house of Comtess Louise Pillet-Will on Sunday 14 March 1864." Far from being stuffy, the historic accuracy gives this recording a new immediacy. Carolyn Sampson, soprano, Hilary Summers, alto, tenors Andrew Tortise and William Unwin, and bass Andrew Foster-Williams are uniformly good. This is another rare treat.

I hope you enjoied this music of historical meaning and remembrance.
Kara Dahl Russell

Just Opened, Friday Sept. 2, 2011

2011-09-01T13:59:00.000-07:00

MUSIC OF HIKARI OE
Akiko Ebi, piano
Hiroshi Koizumi, flute
Tomoko Kato, violin
DENON 78953
ISBN# 0 81757 89535 3
If you want to adventure into the world of musical compositions by Japanese composers, this is a very easy puddle to jump. Oe's music is very accessible to the western ear, these works easily reminiscent of Romantic era chamber works. It almost distracts from the beauty of the work to tell his story, it is so unusual: from his head injury at a young age, to a special class for the handicapped, his performances of Mozart & Chopin, leaving school to go to a welfare house, and then the begginnings of his composition. This is the kind of story that rivals the histories of the brilliant Mozart and the perpetually ill Chopin, culminating (so far) in one of his works being chosen for a television program and multiple recordings. These chamber works reflect a trend current in Asia now, the resurgence of the Romantic sound heard in the sound of many Eastern composers. This is my delight of the week. Oe's story of triumph over the limitations of the physical world would be enough to make this make this a hope-filled delight, and moreover, the music stands above and beyond his personal story, beautiful and romantic.

DANCE MUSIC OF THE
HIGH RENAISSANCE
Music Aurea
Jean Wolteche, dir.
BOSTON SKYLINE 138
ISBN# 7 30357 01382 7
The Maryland Renaissance Festival, one of the largest Renaissance Fairs in the country, is currently goin on nearby here in Crownsville Maryland, just across the bay. Welcome to the visiting Ren-Faire listeners, this is something for you, as well as our regular early music fans. Part of their "from the vault" series, Boston Skyline has taken older recordings and re-grouped them for special interest focus. Many of these are early music groups from the early days of the resurgence of interest in early music, just when early music and early "performance practice" started to be taken seriously in conservatories. So these are seminal recordings in the study of new music, but don't confuse it with being stuffy. These are exciting performances of early music, and this one, being dance music, is an extra special gift of history.

VERDIANA
Music by Giuseppe Verdi
in Arrangements
Arte Ensemble Hannover
Carola Guber, mezzo
CPO 999 849
ISBN# 7 61203 98492 3
Different groupings of the Hannover ensemble have made a name for themselves in re-working the masters of big symphonic scores for chamber musicians, espeically with the help of arranger Andreas Tarkmann (one of the arrangers on this CD). This is actually another aspect of historical music. As displayed in an earlier CD of theirs, where an entire opera of Schubert was arranged for chamber group, this was frequently done while these operas were "new" in theatres. Just as pianists of the time were composing "themes and variations" on these operas, others were making chamber arrangements for home amusements, and in the salons. Here we have the great melodies of Verdi joined with the excellent musicianship of Arte Ensemble Hannover. Simply Lovely.

SIBELIUS
Symphonies 4 & 5
New Zealand Symph. Orch.
pietari Inkinen, cond.
NAXOS 572227
ISBN# 7 47313 22277 3
Jean Sibelius's mastery of the orchestra has been described as prodigious. While he composed in many different genres, the core of his oeuvre is his set of seven symphonies. Like Beethoven, his style evolved as he relected influences and changes in taste, both his own and the popular taste. He began as a strong Wagnerian, but began to tire of these concepts and felt that music should reflect the world at large, not just its own introspective world. Together, these symphonys lead us from the dark into the light. His works influenced Vaughan Williams and Bruckner, among others. Here are two of his symphonies from a transitional period as he re-thought his idea toward symphonic inspiration, performed by a world-class symphony, under the baton of one of the world's leading conductors.

I hope you enjoied these selections on Just Opened.
Join us for more new releases next Friday at 1PM.
Kara Dahl Russell

Just Opened, Friday August 26, 2011

2011-08-31T11:47:00.001-07:00

VIOLA SONATAS
Kathryn Steely, viola
Vincent De Vries, harpsichord
MSR 1379
ISBN# 6 81585 13792
Kathryn Steely has a magnificent, full rich tone to her viola playing. This is the kind of thing that is not the instrument itself, or the player, but the combination of the two, and this lush sound is set off by the crisp accompaniment of the harpsichord. This CD highlights the compositions of William Flackton for "tenor violin," some of the earliest works for viola composed in Britain. Also here is a Sonata by Handel, and the CD closes with a work for viola and cello (Adrienne Steely, cellist) by Carl F. Abel. The unique and pleasing contrast of sonority of the viola and harpsichord, along with these rarely heard Baroque compositions, make this my delight of the week!

FROM BACH TO BERNSTEIN
Romantic Music for Horn
Gergory Miller, horn
Ernest Baretta, piano
MSR 1096
ISBN# 6 81585 10962
If you like romantic period music (and who doesn't?), and the glorious tone of the horn played with sensitivity and brilliance of technique, you can't go wrong with this CD. The music here is so very accessible: predominanty works by Gliere, Strauss, Schumann, with a melodic Scriabin work, a Bach tune, and a Bernstein elegy. The tonality of persuasiveness of Gregroy Miller's horn playing is enough to make you swoon... but snap out of it, because you won't want to miss a note.

JOHANN CHRISTIAN BACH
Opera Overtures Vol 3
The Hanover Band
Anthony Halstead, cond.
CPO 999 753
ISBN# 7 61203 97532 7
Do not be confused by the name "Hanover Band" this is a band in terms of - a band of musicians working together - this is a chamber orchestra of excellence, handled with finesse by Halstead in timeless works - primarily overtures - by Johann Christain Bach. Overtures are always easily accessible, predominantly upbeat, to get you engaged and ready... so this is an easy addition to your music collection.

DAVID
The Romantic Violin Concerto - 9
BBD Scottish Symph. Orch.
Martyn Brabbins, cond.
Hagai Shaham, violin
Hyperion 67804
ISBN# 0 34571 17804 2
Would you like to join the chorus of folks saying, "Ferdinand David? I've never heard of him!" I was part of the chorus until last week. His work is melodic and moving in the best of the romantic tradition. It is a testiment not to his lack, but to the wealth of great composers in the Romantic movement that we do not hear his name more frequently. Darkly handsome Hagai Shaham (of the bedroom eyes) displays his musical magnificence on these works that seem to be tailor-made for him. He is the model of the 1800s romantic violinist. Martyn Brabbins and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra are internationally recognized for their excellence. When you add these components to romantic-era compositions of lush melody, it's a no-brainer that we will remember, and seek out, more works by David.

CHOPIN SONGS
Garrich Ohlsson, piano
Ewa Podles, contralto
ARABESQUE 6746
ISBN#0 26724 6746 2 4
Chopin's works remain among the most personally touching amongst the compositions of the greats, partially due to his own love of Italian "cantabile" melody, a singing melody that makes even the most complex works feel simple enough to sing. This touches the human heart. Known for his extensive piano works, it is easy to forget that he actually did write songs to be sung. Some of these have transcended the vocal genre and migrated into other solo-line instruments, but here we have them sung in the luscious contralto voice of Ewa Podles. As one might expect, these songs are mainly dark, but there are happy surprises like a drinking song! With masterful accompaniment by Garrich Ohlsson, this is a much-needed addition to any collection of Chopin works. The final work on this CD is Chopin's variations on Rossini's theme from Cinderella, where flautist Elizabeth Mann joins Ohlsson. Simply great.

I hope you enjoied these, and will tune in again for
JUST OPENED on WSCL 89.5, Friday at 1PM
Kara Dahl Russell

Just Opened, Friday August 19, 2011

2011-08-23T07:42:00.000-07:00

This week we focus on American composers, conductors and performers.

CELEBRATION!
Margot Dilmaghani, piano
www.dilmaghani.com
(available online)
Margot Dilmaghani may not have had the brilliant international career of many of the musicians we frequently feature, but she is the kind of artist I like to highlight. Born with perfect pitch, she began studying piano at the age of 3. Later she transitioned to harp, and she plays both instruments beautifully. Success is defined by each artist, and aside from her degrees in music, Dilmaghani has used her gift within her Spiritual Guidance and Music Therapy work. The selections here are typical of a gifted, thinking musician (who also is a lecture speaker on female composers). Here we have a collection of works by Armenian-American female composers. This CD has tremendous variety, works that evoke tone poems and the great french romantic works, Argentine inspired works, challengin modern works, and the title piece Celebration and Lullabye, deeply personal works. I often feel that great musicians are working just around the corner, if we only knew where to look. Dilmaghani is one of these.

American ArtistsMYTHS AND LEGENDS
American Horn Quartet
MSR 1268
ISBN# 6 81585 12682 0
Fulbright scholar, musician & composer Kerry Turner and his brassy friends join forces on a marvelous, small collection of choice works for Horn Quartet. Thier pitch and tone places them in the top echelon of brass musicians, both appealing and critically acclaimed. The works here are mainly accessible and enchanting. The title work by american composer Eric Ewazen evokes the days of knights and fair maidens, using touchstone sounds reminiscent of early brass composers, pulled together with his own contemporary flourish. Kerry Turner's compositions are known for their wide-open sound of the american west, and his "3 Movements for 4 Horns" continues to remind us a bit of Copeland's feel for the American landscape, with a touch of nostaligia, and a large dose of american pride. The third work, by Kazimierz Machala is the most challenging to the average listener, but demonstrates a nice diversity of sound and technique within this program. Turner's arrangements of two traditional works finish off the bill, leaving us fully satisfied.

COPELAND
Dance Symphony, Short Symphony
and Organ Symphony
Saint Louis Symphony Orch.
Louis Slatkin, cond.
RCA 68292
ISBN# 0 9026 68292 2
.... and speaking of Copeland.... It's hard to put together any collection of America-inspired works without a nod to him. This is a nice collection of lesser known works by Copeland that fullfills both the desire for his regular, open prairie sound, as well as more unusual works on grander scale like his Sympohony for Organ and Orchestra. That work, with Simon Preston at the organ, is followed by his crowd pleasing Dance Symphony, Short Symphony, and Orchestral Variations.

YANKEE, COME HOME!
Marian Ruhl Metson, organ
Raven OAR-190
Organ music is not everyone's first choice of easy listening, and it is not always mine, but this CD has been a favorite in my own CD collection for many years. When I saw this CD waiting to be "Just Opened" I pounced on it! Several things make this CD very special. Metson's musicianship is outstanding, and is displayed here in a great varitety of works for organ, sacred, secular, and popular. This CD was recorded on several historic organs in the area of Newbury, CT, and the booklet gives a bit of history of each church and the particular organ being featured, and because these are older organs, they have a distinct sweetness of sonority that can sometimes be lacking in the big "manificent" organs of today. But the selections here are what ultimately make this collection so special. They give other musicians ideas of transitioning these works to piano, harp, or other arrangements, and that is due to the timeless quality of the music, and the accesible romantic era that most of these are from. Multiple sets of variations display Metson's capacity, along with traditional "churchy" favorites like Carr's "Flute Voluntary," Harwood's "Communion," and Shearling's "Amazing Grace." My favorites are the Waltzes, Quicksteps, Polkas and Yon's "Humoresque for Primative Organ." It's melodic, upbeat, and a technical tour de force. This is my delight of the week.

ANNE-SOPHIE MUTTER
ANDRE PREVIN
BSO & LSO
D.G. B0001313
When asked about Anne-Sophie Mutter, Andre Previn said, "I don't know a better violinist or musician. She has immense immagination and her technique is flawless." The featured violin concerto on this CD was written by Previn for Mutter. It is both lyrical and exciting. The other work on this Cd is by Leonard Bernstein, "Serendade" after Plato's Symposium... he considers it a meditation on Eros, so it combines his combustible passion and surprising rhymicality with melody and the quirkiness you might expect from a work written for violin, string orchestra, harp and percussion.

AMY M. BEACH
Cabildo & Six Short Pieces
Lincoln Center Orchestra
Ransom Wilson, cond.
From the "Great Performances at Lincoln Center" series comes this exquisitly performed version of Amy Beach's rarely performed one-act opera. It is quite a handful: set at the turn of the 1900s, with flashbacks to the early 1800s, set in New Orleans, it has a carnival barker who narrates and moves the action. The music is the nostalgic, lovestruck music of the 1800s, breathlessly describing beauty and dancing and love. Christopher O'Riley plays the piano on this major work, as well as on the selections that form a "second act" of the works of Amy Beach. Her songs are unforgettable and luminous.

JOURNEY ON
The American Boychoir
Fernando Malvar-Ruiz, cond.
Albemarle Records 1007
The American Boychoir lends their angelic voices to a diverse collection of world music. Standard choral repertoire like Faure's "Tantum Ergo", and arrangements of traditional spirituals are augmented with works like the Japanese song "Hotaru Koi," Korean folksong "Nodle Kangbyon," a medley of south African Songs, and many other joys for your ear!

Join me next week for more new CDs, "Just Opened."
Kara Dahl Russell

JUST OPENED, Friday August 12, 2011

2011-08-15T09:35:00.000-07:00

Last Friday we focused the entire Just Opened on one set of music.
A FOURTEEN CD set anthology of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.

1990 - 2000
Anthology of the
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
RCO 11004
14 CD set
ISBN# 5 425008 377742
If you just came out of a coma since 1990 and want to catch up on what's been going on in the classical music scene, or you're starting a classical music collection from scratch, this RCO set is great way to start. As with most contemporary performing orchestras, about half of the works are a-melodic and very challenging (like Bartok's "Bluebeard's Castle" or Takemitsu's "A Flock Descends into the Pentagonal Garden"), but the other half are the reliable symphony fare that has been ensuring ticket sales for close to a century (like Ravel's "Mother Goose Suite" and Beethoven's "Pastoral Symphony"). The RCO musicians and performers are uniformly top notch, and this anthology displays them being put through their paces by the great conductors of our day: Ivan Fisher, Maris Jansons, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Sir John Eliiott Garnder, John Adams (the composer/conductor, not the dead president), Andre Previn, and many others including, of course, Bernard Haitink.

I hope you enjoied this look back at the work of these great artists from this imposing set.
Join me next Friday for more new music, Just Opened!
Kara Dahl Russell

Just Opened, Friday August 5, 2011

2011-08-08T07:10:00.000-07:00

A Trip to Paris
We focused our ears on the music of France... french songs, french composers, a musical beret!

BERLIOZ
Huit Scenes de Faust
Orch. Symphonique de Montral
Charles Dutoit, cond.
LONDON DECCA 475097
ISBN# 0 28947 50972 1
This CD is so jammed with marvelous music, it feels like two. It begins with the titular 8 Scenes from Faust. Full music scenes, the Orchestra is joined by soprano Susan Graham, mezzo Susanne Mentzer, tenor John Mark Ainsley, bariton Phillip Cokorinow, and Pierre Vincent Plante playing cor anglais, and Davis Joachim the guitar. The second half of the program contains smaller, but no less grand, pieces by Berlioz, of his own composing, or arrangements, including a magnificent version of Martini's "plaisir d'amour" (the pleasure of love), and a stirring rendition of The Marseillais. The lush romanticism of Berlioz's work, and these full orchestrations, make this easy to recommend for your library.

VICTORIAN GEMS
William Aylesworth, organist
ARSIS 122
ISBN# 6 00313 01222 8
The approach of a new organ CD can sometimes be daunting, but this one, with it's focus on music of the Victorian era, is especially accessible. Comprised of small to mid-sized works of English and French composers, we have works by well known names like Saint Saens, Widor and Wesley, as well a true sparkling "gems" by now lesser known composers who were popular in their heyday, like Lefebure-Wely. This organ CD is another that is easy to recommend, even to those who are not used to listening to organ works.

FLEUR DE PARIS
12 Cellists of the
Berlin Philharmonic
EMI 08501
ISBN# 5 099960 850126
A rich, full bouquet of popular and timeless French Chansons, played by the unique and magnificent 12 cellists of the Berlin Philharmonic. The majority of this CD is made of well known chansons from the 40s, as well as well known works like Ravel's "Pavanne pour une infante defunte" and Satie's "Gymnopedie". The real meat of the CD is Francis Poulenc's vocal cantata "The Figure Humaine" (The Human Form). Written for two acappella choirs of 6 voices each, it would be hard to imagine a better instrumental fit than this. The unique buttery texture of the 12 cellists, the combination of all time favorites and this magnificent transcription of Poulenc make this my DELIGHT OF THE WEEK.

CHARLES KOECHLIN
Les Heures Persanes Op. 65
SWR Radio Symphonie Stuggart
Heina Holliger, cond.
HANNSLER 93.125
4 010276 017554
As you would expect from his life span (1867-1950), Charles Koechlin's music spans romanticism and modernism. This large orchestral version (58:03) is rarely heard. It has the subtlety of a 1940s film score, and the richness of symphonic poem. This work unfolds slowly, slower than the desert caravan it depicts. It even begins with a dream about the caravan before it takes off. Then towards the end, there is an entire section called "the storyteller" where we hear five stories - completely out of the main "action." The work contains several works referring to shadows and moonlight, and reflects the shadiness of the majority of the work. This is not easily pinned down into one melodic line, but mainly it creates a mood. This makes it much too subtle a piece for many, but it definitely has charms and rewards for those who have patience.

LES AMOURS DE MAI
Parthenia (viol consort)
with Julianne Baird, sop.
and Robert Mealy, violin
MSR 1304
ISBN#6 81585 1304 2
The subtitle of this CD is "Love Songs in the Age of Ronsard." Mostly French compositions, and/or works inspired by the court music in France of the age, it is very much a collection of songs and dances, and has the quick rewards and easy listening one would expect. It is also beautifully researched and the notes provide interesting reading, and interplay between the works that will make you want to listen in a different order. Soprano Julianne Baird is well known for her intrepretations of historical work, and Parthenia - a consort of viols, is a joy to hear.

ELIZABETH HAINEN
Harp Concertos
Bulgarian Nat. Symph. Orch.
Rossen Milanov, cond.
AVIE 2221
ISBN# 8 22252 22212 8
Three major works for harp and orchestra grace this CD, with the solid technique and luminous artistry of Elizabeth Hainen playing the harp solos. Elias Parish Alvers can be relied on for luscious romantic melody, which is supplied here in his Harp Concerto in G minor, as can Camille Saint-Saens in his surprisingly substantial (16 min.) "Morceau" for harp and Orchestra. The lesser known work here is the beautiful harp concerto in C by late Baroque, early Classical composer Johann Georg Albrechtsberger. This particular period was the pivotal period of development of the harp as an orchestral instrument, and is ripe with works like this, that epitomize the quintessential sound of the harp.

I hope you enjoied our little sojourn to France.
Join me next week for more new releases on Just Opened, Fridays at 1PM.
Kara Dahl Russell

JUST OPENED, Friday July 29, 2011

2011-08-01T10:49:00.000-07:00

FOUR SEASONS & MORE SEASONS

MA SICONG:
Music for Violin & Piano I
Hsiao-Mei Ku, violin
Ning Lu, piano
The life of composer Ma Sicong is ripe for being made into a movie. As a young, rising Chinese violinist, he traveled to France and was influenced by the movement of the great romantic composers: to use traditional rural folk songs to create legitimate concert repertoire. Ma took this idea back with him to China, wanting to create a “new Chinese music.” A young girl, a talented violinist, Hsiao-Mei Ku played for him as a child, and was taken on as one of his students. Shortly thereafter, the repressive “cultural revolution” began a punishment of many artists, with a special emphasis on those influcenced by the west. Not only were Ma and his students forced into manual labor at a work camp, Ku and the other students were forced to watch as the Red Guards beat and humiliated their teacher. In the late 1960s, Ma and his family emigrated to the United States, where his goal of creating this new Chinese music came to fruition as he switched his focus from performance to composition. Ku intentionally uses the sliding “erhu” technique in recording these works to emphasize the Chinese traditional sound within these very romantic-era sounding works. While Asian music can sound very foreign to western ears, these works are particularly accessible. If you are especially interested in the romantic-nationalist-folksong movement, this would be a necessaryaddition to your collection.

BOISMORTIER
Les Quatre Saisons

L’Ensemble Arion
w/ singers: Isabelle Desrochers
Herve Lamy & Max Van Egmond
CBC RECORDS 1098
Joseph Bodin de Boismortier was the rare musician who held very few known positions, but made a very good living almost exclusively on his publications – at a time when the right to publish was only allowed with the permission of the King. By 1747 he had published over 100 works – mostly instrumental (his music for the recorder is especially well regarded). He was the first composer in France to compose for the cello (a concerto which also can be performed on bassoon). His “The Four Seasons” cycle came out in 1724 at the outset of his publishing career. The myth9lo9gical references and pastoral setting may seem mannered and artificial today, but this is what was popular at the time, typical of the era and the growing fondness for the “rustic life” which reached its zenith in Marie Antoinette having a “shepherd’s village” built on the grounds of Versailles. This cycle of cantatas is a perfect example of the popular culture and musical sound of the day, beautifully realized here by excellent musicians. The musicians of L’Ensemble Arion are prestigious, and include Claire Guimond playing baroque flute, and Chantal Remillard playing baroque violin.

I have a particular interest and affinity for this period of music, so the fully realized excellence of the performance & rarity of recording of this work make it my delight of the week.

THE RUSSIAN SEASONS
Kremerata Baltica
Gidon Kremer, cond.
NONESUCH 79803
ISBN# 0 7559 19803 2
This CD includes two full works commissioned by modern Russian composers to pay homage to Tchaikovsky’s “Four Seasons.” Leonid Desyatnikov (1955-) has composed “The Russian Seasons” (2000) for violin solo, soprano solo and string orchestra. While both works are definitely modern and melodically and tonally challenging, this is less accessible of the two. Each season is broken down into 3 “songs.” Autumn Song, which we aired on Just Opened, is the most melodic, and perhaps, the only real melodic piece in the entire group. “The Seasons Digest” (2001) by Alexander Raskatov (1953-) , while still often dissonant and melodically obtuse, is more accessible for several reasons. It was written for solo violin, strings, percussion, and “prepared piano” (a piano with changed tunings). The work is broken down into one piece for each month of the year, each piece is VERY brief… the longest being only 2 min and 39 seconds. Not only does the month breakdown and time brevity help make each work accessible, each piece fairly clearly has two elements: nature, and human life. Often, nature is evoked by sonorities, while the human life is represented by melodies and themes in fairly classical forms, which are dissonant only in relation to nature. Moreover, Raskatov has some obvious, if dark, humor in his work. The only vocals in the piece is the seedling choir in “July’s Song of the Reaper” the voices build until we hear the unexpected slice of the reaper’s scythe… one can only assume these are the voices of the heads of wheat! I quite like Raskatov’s work, which still requires some attention, but overall, I would say this CD is for those who like their music dissonant and challenging.

FRANZ SCHUBERT
Alfonso & Estrella
Harmoniemusik”
Linos Ensemble
CPO 999 807
ISBN# 7 61203 98072
Andreas N. Tarkmann has arranged this reduction of the entire Alfonso & Estrella score for wind octet with double bass. This kind of reduction was popular even in Schubert’s time, and was termed “Harmoniemusik.” It allowed groups of amateur players to gather and play the works in their home, or in parks or small venues – for the music to be enjoied in a different version or format. This can well be said to be especially useful for works like this, that was not considered to be very strong as an opera. Liszt, who was a proponent of most of Schubert’s work, felt that he had no sense of cohesion within the piece, and no character development demonstrated within the the character’s arias… but that it was more just a grouping of songs than an opera. In that case, this type of arrangement makes the most of the good bits, allowing the melodies and charm to sing out for the sheer joy of making music. This music sparkles forth, and with its unity of instrumentation, it is the kind of CD that can easily be utilized as “background music” for a dinner or event, in addition to being listened to with more focus for musical enjoyment.

CLASSICAL BOUQUET
Steven Mauk, Sop. Saxophone
Mary Ann Covert, Piano
OPEN LOOP 008
A variety of substantial “classical” works are interpreted on this CD as a recital presentation of soprano saxophone and piano. Mauk manages to bring a whisper softness to the sometimes shrill and squeaky soprano sax, making his entrance a consistently pleasant surprise. This CD presents a good cross-section, as any well planned recital, and includes a fairly atonal work by Villa Lobos, and the mixed modernity of Charles Rochester-Young’s Sonata (with its anti-melodic recitative followed by a creamy then spicy Nocturne and Tarentella). These two add texture to the works of Mozart and Bach, in this well-planned CD. Works like Mozart’s Concerto for Oboe are a obvious natural fit for another woodwind, as is Ravel’s Habanera, and the works like Platti’s Sonata are enjoyable surprises. Enjoyable, “classical” easy-listening!

Tune in next Friday for more new releases, JUST OPENED!
Kara Dahl Russell

JUST OPENED, Friday July 8th, 2011

2011-07-12T11:29:00.001-07:00

My thanks to our Producer and on-air host Chris Ranck for choosing the Just Opened selections this week. It gives you a little window on his musical taste to hear his choices.

MSTISLAV ROSTROPOVICH
Saint Saens & Schmann Cello Concertos
early recordings/re-mastered
w/ various orchestras & cond.
2 CD set
D.G. 4776505
ISBN# 0 28947 76505 9
The science of digitally re-mastering old mono recordings has gotten so good, it has become a real treat to hear the all-time-greats that were only recently consigned to the bargain bin. Here we have a two CD set of cello master Rostropovich playing magnificent, timeless works with some of the world's greatest orchestras. In the day these recordings were made, most people could only dream of traveling to see/hear him live. Now - here he is, at your fingertips in a 2 CD set. He has to be heard for his reputation to be understood, and now, thankfully, we can! This is my delight of the week!

THE SOULFUL BACH AND TELEMANN
Olde Friends Concert Artists
CENTAUR 2658
ISBN# 0 44747 2658 2 7
This CD is very much the kind of varied performer presentation you would get at a well planned chamber group recital. Vocal selections with varied accompaniment punctuate instrumental works, all by Telemann and Bach. Well planned, beautifully executed and excellently performed.

DANIEL BARENBOIM
Plays Chopin -
The Warsaw Recital
D.G. 15384
ISBN# 0 28947 79519 3
We revisited this CD from Just Opened a few weeks ago. Barenboim's magnificent recital of Chopin works recorded live.

THE CLAREMONT TRIO
Mendelssohn Trios
ARABESQUE Z6786
ISBN# 0 26724 67862 2
The award-winning Claremont Trio, impossibly talented (and magazine-cover beautiful), play two minor key trios by Felix Mendelssohn.

ARTHUR RUBENSTEIN
The Rubenstein Collection
Chopin Preludes and Sonatas
RCA
This CD is part of a large collection of remastered original recordings by Arthur Rubenstein. (This particular set is not as clear as the Rostropovich, unfortunately.) If you are an unyielding audiofile who likes your music pristine, clear, and with no perceptible hiss, this is not the CD or set for you. If you are a history buff or student of piano performance who relishes the opportunity to hear recordings of great masters of the past, you won't want to miss this, but be prepared for some audio hiss reminiscent of listening to old 78 LPs.
** Do not confuse this CD collection with RCA's "Chopin Collection" played by Arthur Rubenstein; that collection is a smaller set, and the sound is much cleaner.

Thanks for listening. Join me again this Friday for more new releases, JUST OPENED.
Kara Dahl Russell

JUST OPENED, Friday July 1, 2011

2011-06-29T10:48:00.000-07:00

For 4th of July weekend, something special: A TANGO CELEBRATION! Something to get your weekend started with your toes tapping & a zip in your step!

QUINTANGO
Secret Places
www.quintango.com
ISBN# 7 83707 22822 8
This smaller label CD really captures the essence of tango, with sparkling clear technique and sizzling musicality. There are a variety of tango works here from more traditional sounds of composers Piazzola, Aieta and Mores to the more progressive, modern, challenging sounds of Padula, Sanders and Rodriquez, some with spoken verse.

THE SOUL OF TANGO
Santa Barbara Symphony
Gisele Ben-Dor, cond.
DELOS 3345
ISBN#0 13491 33452 3
If you are looking for traditional tango, this is not the CD for you. The Santa Barbara Symphony premiers several new works here, giving us a glimpse of how tango has influenced modern orchestral works, and how traditional tango instrumentation can be utilized taken out of their natural element. Bacalov wrote the lyrical theme to the film "Il Postino" - and the theme is on this CD - and here his syphonic work "Triple Concerto for Bandeoneon, Soprano, and orchestra" pushes many musical boundaries. Tango music does not always make the transition to orchestra well. It can feel overdone or over orchestrated. As it mixes with the orchestral world's penchant for the modern a-melodic, it can loose it's neccessary song-like nature. I think the works on this CD will appeal more to the experimental music lover than those looking for a basic aching, passion-filled tango.

NUYORICANO TANGO
For Flute & Guitar
Laurel Zucker & Richard Savino
Cantelina 66033
ISBN# 7 57166 60332 2
Laurel Zucker is a prolific, unstoppable force of music-making, always ready to explore new boundaries for the flute. Here she is joined by guitarist Richard Savino for a more traditional repertoire, made spicy by the tango works and the somewhat unusual, but natural-fit combination of flute and guitar. The ubiquitous Mozart Sonata in A gains a lovely new twist by this instrumental combination, making it both familar and new at one time. Reliable works by Fernando Sor, Granados and Ibert are followed with works by Piazzolla and Milhaud. The CD finally ends to Zucker's familar affinity of more modern works, so the entire CD is a taste-treat.

TANGO ROMANCE
Music of Buenos Aires
Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
Pablo Ziegler, cond.
RCA 63233
ISBN# 0 9026 63233 2
As I mentioned above, tango music does not always make the transition to orchestral music intact. This CD has wonderful examples of what happens when it works. It helps that the major works here are by Piazzola and one of his long-term partners in music-making Pablo Ziegler. The symphonic pieces here keep the soul of the tango intact, not trying to take them too far from their melodic roots, and the smaller works get back to the essential simplicity of tango.

JARDIM ABANDONADO
Sergio & Odair Assad
Guitar Duo
NONESUCH 178140
A little breather from the tango music on our program, is this incredible guitar duo CD. Sergio & Odair are two people who play like one. The works here range from transcriptions of Debussy's Suite Bergamasque to the works of Jobim and Milhaud, to the new works by Clarice Assad that bask in the indolent melody of the Belle Epoche. Perhaps the ultimate transcription for two quitars is here, a 14+ minute transcription of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. This is a total treat of musicianship. Great variety and marvelous musicality - this is my delight of the week!

ERNESTO NAZARETH
Tangos, Waltzes & Polkas
Iara Behs, Piano
NAXOS 557687
ISBN# 7 47313 26872 6
Ernesto Nazareth is a composer I had not heard of, and if this CD is any indication, he is worth knowing. This joyous collection of tangos, waltzes, and polkas pay tribute to daily life - "going down well" toasts the nightcap, while "lamenting" and "gloomy" speak to passing moods, and "confession (of love)" and "whirlwind (of kisses)" send us briskly waltzing through the joys of life. All of this is brought to magnificent realization by Iara Behs, a great beauty, and one of Brazil's most successful concert pianists. Fluent in many languages, Behs is known for her abilities as a captivating performer as much as her precise technique and musicality. This CD combines the joy of great piano playing with the popularity of a variety of tango-laced dance music from the late 1800s-early 1900s.

Have a safe, and fun-filled 4th of July Celebration!
Tune in to WSCL-FM on Monday for American inspired music.
Kara Dahl Russell

JUST OPENED, Friday June 24, 2011

2011-06-25T10:09:00.000-07:00

A week before July 4th weekend, we made our theme "Americana," airing music that might brighten up your holiday weekend. We aired this a week early to give you time to purchase music for your holiday weekend, and for our give-away CDs to arrive in time for the weekend, too.

AMERICAN SPIRIT
Mannheim Steamroller
C.W. McCall
American Gramaphone 1776-2
WSCL was sent some promotional CDs of this item, and we were happy to pass it along to our listeners as a give away. Manheim Steamroller is definitely not within our usual music parameters on WSCL. It is not classical music, and even the most traditional works are highly synthesized. But the American "classics" on this CD were an easy pick for us, esp. as The Chicago Symphony Chorus provide the magnificent vocals on "America The Beautiful" "Home on the Range" and "Battle Hymn of the Republic." Manheim Steamroller has proven its popularity over the years with a mix of traditionally beloved piece, new age sounds, and a touch of country. The mix is a crowd pleaser, and we hope our listeners who won the free CDs will get enjoyment out of them!

Get On Board
Am. Music for Woodwinds by
William Grant Still
Sierra Winds
CAMBRIA 1083
William Grant Still is an American Composer whose skill and worth are still gaining momentum in recognition. This CD is definitely a marker on that road to his works being better known, and enjoied. Living in the years of "modern" composer, Still has his feet firmly planted in romanticism. This includes the movement - of Chopin, Schumann, Balakirev, Bartok, Canteloube, and many others - to explore folk music in orchestral idioms. This CD is a pleasure-packed tribute to that exploration, with the always excellent Sierra Winds joined by many other musical friends to limb out the varied mix of instrument groupings that ebb and flow through these chamber works. The Minatures and Vignettes are sweet bon-bons, and the Folk song suites add depth. It is rare to listen to a CD and enjoy every single track, but here it is! This is my delight of the week.

Classics for all to Hear
Jeff Bradetich, Double Bass
Judy Rockey Bradetich, piano
Music for all to Hear 9101
This small label release is still available in various online music sites. The double bass is often relegated to keeping the beat, or the groud notes of the accompaniment, but here Jeff Bradetich gives it voice as a solo instrument. Much like a chamber recital, the pieces have a wide range of time periods and styles; from Stephen Foster and Danny Boy, to Kreisler's Liebesleid and Sibelius's Romance, with Chopin and Gershwin, it is a rounded roster of easily accessible works. This is a good example of a well-planned, well-performed recital/showcase CD. Especially a good gift for a pianist who wants to hear varied accompaniment, and for those who love the bass. (A caller called in to say how much he loved the Chopin from this CD, and "thanks for the beautiful music.")

JOHN PHILIP SOUSA
At the Symphony
Razumovsky Symph. Orch.
Keith Brion, cond.
NAXOS 559013
We often think of Sousa as only a great band composer, but this CD gives magnificent life to his lesser known orchestral works. His "Reverie" and "Songs from Grace and Songs from Glory" are filled with lyricism. His "Dwellers of the Western World," perhaps his largest orchestral work, is a revelation of his variety (once you get past the late 1800s view of the world). Of course, there are plenty of marches, works filled with grandeur, emotion, and joie de vivre. Very few composers knew how to raise an audience to their feet like Sousa. We received several calls saying how much they liked these works. I've been at WSCL more than a year now, and I've never seen positive resonse like this. This was a definite audience favorite. If you want a sure-fire July 4th house-warming gift, this is it.

MUSIC OF
ZENOBIA POWELL-PERRY
Spirituals, Art Songs,
and Chamber Music
CAMBRIA 1138
This little-known african-american, female composer, was championed and supported in her youth personally by Eleanor Roosevelt. This was merely the start of an accomplished life in the arts, performance, and education. This CD represents the culmination of a state-wide tour of her works in Ohio during her 95th year. The variety of the works represented here are testiment to her flexibility as an artist. Settings of spirituals that are reminiscent of Faure, hymn settings that are quiet and unobtrusive, two works for solo piano that are both progressive and accessible like Satie, and larger chamber works that are directly in keeping with the concert hall fare of challenging atonality. There is something here for everyone, but mostly, a great tribute, and a great introduction, to a composer's work and achievement.

FLUFFY RUFFLE GIRLS
Women in Ragtime
Virginia Eskin, piano
The Ragtime Project
KOCH 3-7457-2
A brief of the interesting history of this CD: while ragtime was mostly the work of black males, there is a growing body of work being discovered that was written by white women of the day. Trained in the "feminine skill" of piano playing, these women, mostly young, applied their classical skill to the precision required for ragtime, and began composing. The place of women during this time makes the research difficult. Marriage not only changed the name, but often ended the compositional career of these women... others published under assumed names. But, enough of the research; it's ragtime! Bob your hair, roll down your stockings, and dance 'til you drop! Sheer energy and joy, played with precision, musicality and a rolicking verve by Virginia Eskin.

THE MALTESE FALCON
and other film scores by
ADOLPH DEUTSCH
Moscow Symphony Orchestra
William Stromberg, cond.
From the 1930s to the 1950s some of the largest full time orchestras were at the Film Studios. Each major studio had its own major orchestra. One has only to think of the musical extravaganzas, and the sweeping dramatic scores to be reminded of the greatness of the musicians and the composers. Adolph Deutsch was one of them, and this CD displays a wide variety of the styles of his work. The noir Maltese Falcon can be difficult to listen to: long passages of eerie unsettling tone intended to creat tension until the next door opens or the next gunshot. Some film scores do not lend themselves to listening precisely because they did their job well - they set the tone for the action. The score for adventure film Mask of Demitrios is similarly subliminal. But others, like the wacky fun of "George Washington Slept Here", or the unexpected whistful delicacy of "High Sierra" stand beautifully on their own as musical suites for orchestra. All of it a testiment to the skill of the composer, and the mastery of these great studio orchestras - here, the Moscow Symphony bringing us the old grandeur.

I hope you enjoied our early preview of AMERICANA for your 4th of July listening. Tune in next week for a special toe-tapping, gotta get out of your chair, "Just Opened."
Kara Dahl Russell

JUST OPENED, Friday June 17th, 2011

2011-06-17T10:24:00.000-07:00

It is my particular joy to share a wide spectrum of releases on JUST OPENED, allowing you to make your own decisions about which ones you like, and which ones you might put on your own personal "wish list." I hope you enjoied the selections this week:

L'AMOUREUX De L'ORGUE
David Di Fiore, organ
Auburn Symphony Orchestra
Stewart Kershaw, cond.
(Ambassador Record Co.)ARC 1019
ISBN# 7 2661 81019 2
Works for organ and orchestra by Romantic Era composers, Frank, Gounod, Poulenc, and organist/composers Verne & Guilmant. Tenor Mark Calvert sings on a few of the works. Despite being from the same era, there is tremendous variety in these works, from Frank's seminal "Panis Angelicus" to Poulenc's more outre works for organ and orchestra.

CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Daniel Barenboim, cond.
Warner Classics 69816
ISBN# 8 25646 98165 6
An evening's concert in one CD: Gershwin's Cuban Overture, Bernstein's Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, Ravel's Daphnis et Choloe Suite No. 2, and the Prelude and Love Theme from Wagner's Tristan Und Isolde. Beautiful variety, beautifully performed.

MENDELSSOHN
String Quintets
Robert Mann &
The Mendelssohn String Quartet
BIS #1254
ISBN# 7 318599 912547
Marcy Rosen, cellist and Co-Artistic Director of the Chesapeake Chamber Music Festival joins violinists Miraim Fried and Nicholas Mann, violist Ulrish Eichenauer, and 2nd viola Robert Mann on Mendelssohn Bartholdy's String Quintet No. 1, Op. 18, and String Quintet No. 2, Op. 87. www.chesapeakechambermusic.org

SCHUBERT SONATAS
Howard Shelley, fortepiano
(Musical Heritage Society)
MHS 11108
ISBN# 5 013133 301321
Schubert's Sonatas have sometimes suffered from comparison to Beethoven's forward looking Sonatas. As usual with Schubert, not only was he NOT trying to compete with Beethoven, Schubert's sonatas were inward looking. That being so, the amount of gentleness and sweet lightness in these works is surprising given the sad trajectory of much of his life. Beethoven was always seeking "more": more notes, bigger sound, and consequently was known to have broken several pianofortes. Schubert, instead, seems perfectly content within the pianoforte's sphere, and so it is a special joy to hear these works played on a historic fortepiano of the style they were written to be played on.

PETER FLETCHER
Music of Four Centuries
Tower Hill Records
www.peterfletcher.org
Guitarist Peter Flectcher, who is appearing here in Salisbury this weekend, took time out this morning to stop in for an interview and to play live in our studio! (We'll have that interview online early next week.) This CD is my cup of tea, with works by my musical crush-boy Jean Phillipe Rameau, a full suite by Robert de Visee, 2 Couperins, Besard, Tarrega and Fernando Sor, of course, as well as a rarely if ever recorded suite for guitar by Belle Epoch composer Alexandre Tansman. Fletcher has performed many times at Carnegie Hall, tours nationally and has CDs on two labels, Centaur and Tower Hill. He says the best way to "find" this CD is to go his website and click on the Tower Hill link. Given Peter's talent, and personal charm, and his love of Baroque composers evidenced on this CD, this is my delight of the week!

Join me again next week, for more new releases, "Just Opened."

Kara Dahl Russell

JUST OPENED, Friday June 10, 2011

2011-06-13T10:40:00.000-07:00

We had a wide variety on Just Opened this week, Russian overtures, single-action harp, and Brahms in many different musical guises. Here's the run-down of the CDs we opened:

RUSSIAN OVERTURES
2 CD set
Russian National Orchestra
Mikhail Pletnev, cond.
NEWT ON CLASSICS 8802037
ISBN# 8 718247 710379
If you're looking for sure-fire bet of glorious symphonic music that will be rousing and upbeat, the first CD in this 2 CD set supplies the goods, an entire CD of Russian overtures from the Romantic era; Glinka, Borodin, Mussorgsky, Tchaikovsky, and even Glazunov's "solumn overture" has lush melody and an overall pick-up. The second CD focuses on some larger themes: Liadov's Baba Yaga, and The Enchanted Lake, Tcherepnin's The Enchanted Kingdom, and Rimsky-Korsakov's "The Golden Cockerel" suite. This is a sure-bet winner as a gift for music lovers. With music that lifts the spirits and full, sweeping orchestrations that touch the heart, this is my delight of the week!

AMUSE
Music for Single and Double-Action Harp from the Age of Enlightenment and Romanticism
Masumi Nagasawa, harps
KTC 1263
ISBN# 5 425008 374208
Internationally known harpist, Masumi Nagasawa has a set of CDs, primarily using single-action harp, that are a programmatic "full course meal" of harp music. this is the first "Soirees du Gout", an apetizer of Baroque and Early Classical works that would have been foundational works for harp before the harp was legitimized and specific harp repertoire grew. These period works played on the single-action harp that they would have historically been played on is a special treat. The older harp has a lighter sound than the modern harp, a crisp and brittle sound, akin to the harpsichord. This CD is a special treat for early music lovers, with works by Rameau, Bach, Mozart, Bochsa and Pescetti.

JOHANNES BRAHMS
Serendades 1&2
Chamber Philharmonic of Bohemia
Douglas Bostock, cond.
Scandanavian Classics 220535
ISBN# 4 011222 205353
Two Serenades for large chamber orchestra by Brahms, beautifully performed. Serenades, by their nature, smaller, and sweet - this is both basic, and an unusual addition to your orchestral library.

DANIEL HOPE
THE ROMANTIC VIOLINIST
A Celebration of Joseph Joachim
Royal Stockholm Phil. Orch.
Sakari Oramo, cond.
Deutsche Grammophon 15312
ISBN # 0 28947 79301 4
Daniel Hope has made this CD a tribute to Brahm's favorite violinist, Joseph Joachim. Known for his musicality over his showmanship, Joachim also composed. Rarely does a CD have this variety, it is a complete program in itself. With many works by Brahms, also Joachim, Bruch, Schubert, and Clara Schumann, we have works here for violin & piano, violin & strings, violin and orchestra, and even a lullabye for soprano (Anne-Sofie von Otter), piano (Sebastian Knauer) & viola (Hope plays the viola). It is a full program of guest stars, solo turns, and works with orchestra, it is a rich, varied, and fullfilling program. A CD as beautifully thought out as it is brilliantly performed.... now THAT is quite a tribute! Joachim would be proud.

I hope you enjoied these selections as much as I did, and I'll be bringing you more new releases next Friday on JUST OPENED.
Kara Dahl Russell

JUST OPENED, Friday June 3, 2011

2011-06-06T08:19:00.000-07:00

NIELSEN
Symphonies Nos 4 & 5
London Symphony Orchestra
Sir Colin Davis, cond.
LSO 694 ISBN#8 22231 16942 0
Living and working on the cusp of the Romantic era becomming the modern era, Nielsen's works show both influences. Some of his works are lushly romantic and remind me of the exotic lyricism of Rimsky-Korsakov; while others tend to a wandering elusiveness that typified the quest of the early modern movement (before it settled into persistent atonality). Nielsen's Symphony No. 4 is one of his best, with a large sound and heroism at it's core. Titled "Inextinguishable", it was written during the war years, and while it depicts struggle, it is clear that the struggle itself becomes proof of the inability to extinquish hope. It is a work worthy of a film score, something like Robin Hood, or a great sweeping epic. The other work on the CD is Symphony No. 5, and it typifies the other style... with vast currents of melody that rush by and dissipate, it is an oceanic work, as hard to pin down as the tide upon the shore.

AMES PIANO QUARTET
Dorian Solo Luminus 92120
ISBN# 0 53479 21202 3
The Ames Piano Quartet turns its combined talents to three delicious quartets: Mozart's E-flat Major, and Hummel's G Major, from the height of the classical era, closing with Beethoven's E-flat Major which begins to look toward romanticism. This is music that is flawlessly performed, and so effortlessly and effervescently "correct" that is easy to overlook, but don't. This is basic and classic for all the right reasons; my delight of the week!

A Treasury of
GERMAN BAROQUE Music
The Hanoverian Ensemble
MSR Classics 1380
ISBN# 6 81585 13802 1
Because several members of this Ensemble play multiple instruments, this CD gives us a special cross section of German Baroque music. Many of us who love early music also love the sound of recorders, and the ensemble pieces here give us several sonatas that play off transverse flutes with recorders, in various groupings. Arthur Fiacco on cello and Kent Tritle provide the continuo line in these works. Then Tritle steps aside to play early organ works. The structure of this CD is ensemble work, organ work, ensemble work, organ work, etc. throughout. This can make for uneven listening if you are listening to the CD straight through, but so often now, listeners are usuing multiple CD changers, ipods, or other randomizers, this is a minor quibble.... What it does demonstrate is how well-thought-out the combinations of music and the structure of the CD is overall, and that is always a joy. A real treat for early music listeners.

JOHANNES BRAHMS
Lilya Zilberstein & Cord Garben, pianos
Hanssler Classic 93.075
ISBN# 4 010276 013259
Brahms' own four hand reduction (of the orchestral work) is the major piece on this CD. A rarely played, rarely recorded work that is a tour de force for both pianists. (Brahms always considered that the second piano part would have to be augmented by a third instrumentalist.) The opening work is Brahm's Tragic Overture, also arranged by Brahms for four hands. We seem to be entering a glory day of the re-emergence of these glorious 4 hand works, recorded by virtuosos of the highest calibre. Lucky day!

Thank you for listening to JUST OPENED, I look forward to sharing more new releases with you this Friday!
Kara Dahl Russell

Classical podcast-o-rama Volume 2

2011-06-01T14:28:00.000-07:00

Did you know many of the programs we play on WSCL can also be heard as podcasts? If Sunday evening at 5PM, for example, is not a time you can catch "From the Top", you can always listen to the podcast version at your convenience. If you are a teacher, this is a great way to use classical music in your classroom.

Or, if you like, you can catch the latest Piano Puzzler podcast from Performance Today.

Unfortunately, the rules for podcasts are very murky. You tend not to find podcasts of full music programs because of copyright issues. The idea being that if you happened to be able to download full versions of recorded music (even if it was embedded in someone else's programming) you could theoretically be violating copyright laws. Harmonia, the early music show we play Sunday evenings at 9PM, for example, doesn't have a full recording of the show. We the can do, however, is provide a shortened version of the show with highlights and the occasional review. Just click on the podcast link to listen.

Another fun podcast (and a great free tool for teachers) is American Public Media's Composer's Datebook podcast. The Show is a bite-sized look at "this day in classical music history" and runs just two minutes or so long.

Don't forget- we also have a Podcast of our "Classical Chat" series. If you miss a particular interview, don't fret- you can always search the archives to find it.

If you have an Apple iPhone or iPad, a Google smart phone, or just a computer, you can listen to any of these podcasts as your leisure. The best part is- they're free!

KARA & KO on WBOC

2011-05-31T08:16:00.000-07:00

Hi friends!

This past Sunday (Memorial Sunday), I was interviewed by Ko Im on WBOC's Sunday morning news. Throughout the hour, I played short snippets of different harp music as we transitioned into commercial breaks, sang a few lines, and after our interview, Ko picked up her violin and joined me on Erik Satie's "Gymnopedie No.1."

Ko was too much of a pro to mention it, but I need to give her her due; seconds before the top of the show she popped a D string (not her G string!), and was playing avoiding anything on the D. Playing around a broken string is like playing with a finger missing... but she forged ahead with aplomb!

Here's a clip of the interview and our playing:

I also want to add how friendly Ko Im and John Trout were, they made it easy!

Kara Dahl Russell
Classical Music Host, WSCL-FM 89.5

JUST OPENED, Friday May 27, 2011

2011-05-26T11:55:00.000-07:00

VIVALDI
Gods, Emperors & Angels
Concertos for Recorder, Violin,
Basson & Strings
La Serenissima
Adrian Chandler, cond. & violin
Avie 2201
ISBN#8 22252 22012 4
A special treat for those who love early music, La Serenissima provides a nice variety of Vivaldi's works, concertos, sonatas, and a few "fragments." Some of these give weight to the violins, others to the basson, and others to the recorder. This variety means that it is a well planned program, one that keeps new focus coming for your ears, keeping you tuned in, with new auditory treats at each turn. As with many groups, these musicians perform on period instruments, and while not a new thing (early music has been having a resurgence since the 1970s), it is a special joy for those (like me) who love the woodsy mellowness of the recorder, the hushed mellowness of older bassoons, and the contrast of crispness with the early violins.

MITSUKO UCHIDA
MOZART
The Cleveland Orchestra
Mitsuko Uchida, cond. & piano solo
London Decca 15498
ISBN# 0 28947 82596 8
Are you a fair-weather friend of Mozart? If you like Mozart only when he is light, bright, snappy and happy, then this may not be the CD for you. These two larger piano concertos are best described as gentle or pensive, I think. The brilliant Mitsuko Uchida brings her prowess to these works. Don't be afraid of the dark! Think of the power and magesty of the shadowy moments of Don Giovanni - these are works with gravitas on all levels, including the magnificence of the piano solos! This is Mozart, of course, so we still have his baseline optimism and vivacity to bring us out of the sombre tones with Uchida's precise, lightning fingerings.

Die schone Mullerin
Franz Schubert
Mark Padmore & Paul Lewis
Harmonia Mundi 907519
ISBN#0 93046 75192 0
The poems of Wilhelm Muller that depict a lovelorn young man on a journey of false hopes are the test of Schubert's first song cycle "Die Schone Mullerin." Mark Padmore and Paul Lewis were termed "a ideal partnership" in their recording of Schubert's "Die Winteresse." They team up again here to bring these works to life. Whereas Die Winteresse is a wintery work of freezing despair, this work allowed Schubert to apply his own youthful urgency (and urges) to the story of a young man in love with a girl who prooves to be provacative and unattainable - for him, at any rate. Schubert revels in the complexity of the hopes of love dashed against the rocks of river... and the final berceuse that brings a gentle quietude, is actually bringing the hero the peace of death in a river. This is life in all it's forlorn & creepy corners -- it is Schubert, after all....

BEETHOVEN
Complete Music for Cello & Piano
Laurence Lesser, cello
HaeSun Paik, piano
BRIDGE 9329 ISBN# 0 90404 93292 2
2 CDs & 1 DVD
This two CD set features the work of a musician who has been time-teasted and well rounded. As a teen, Lesser was praised by Pablo Casals, then he studied with Piatagorsky, who made him his teaching assistant, and began Lesser's teaching career. At a time when each movie studio had it's own full orchestra, Lesser was concertizing in Los Angeles. In the '70s he began teaching at the New England Conservatory, where he rose to the Presidency. Realizing that this responsibility curtailed the concert work he loved, he left that post in the late 1990s. While not a household name, he is a prime example of a musician's musician... someone known and respected by other musicians. He is joined by HaeSun Paik, who was working on the Beethoven piano sonata herself, when he asked her to join him in this particular musical journey. The quality of tone and excellence of sound simply has to be heard. The DVD which accompanies the CDs is like a masterclass in Form and Analysis of Beethoven's cello works, and not dry bones, but varied and interesting.
*** While I usually have a "delight" of the week, this is something deeper... fullfilling with a resonance as deep as the voice of Lesser's cello. Enjoy! ***

DOUBLE VIOLIN CONCERTO
Mark O'Connor
Nadja Salerno-Sonnenerg
Coloado Symphony Orchestra
Marin Alsop, cond.
OMAC 8 ISBN#0-9708266-4-8
We showcased O'Connor's crisp, crunchy & sweet "Johnny Appleseed Suite" which reminds one of a home-town Copeland - with more swing in it's step. This CD also contains 3 other works by prolific fiddler/composer Mark O'Connor. He and classical virtuoso Salerno-Sonnenberg trade musical phrases in his "Double Concerto," and this CD includes his orchestral arrangements of the Appalacia Waltz and Amazing Grace. O'Connor is the quintessential classical crossover artist who appeals to those who admire great musicianship, and sounds that cross boundaries between mountain music, folk, and traditional symphonic fare. Personally, I hear growth and a new steady sureness in his work that is always a joy. If you mix politics with your music and want your composers American, and your music lilting with Americana, this is a sure bet for you!

Join me next week for more new releases on JUST OPENED!
Kara Dahl Russell

New Program- America's Music Festivals

2011-05-24T05:26:00.000-07:00

Join us Saturday afternoon from 4 to 6PM for America's Music Festivals. Produced by the same folks who produce the Chicago Symphony (heard Monday nights at 8PM), AMF takes you each week to a different part of the country to sample many fine regional classical music festivals. This year's festivals come from the west coast. Next year, they will focus on the east coast. The host is Marin Alsop.

For complete broadcast listings, please click here.

Happy listening!

Classical podcast-o-rama! Volume 1

2011-05-19T05:50:00.001-07:00

Chris again,

So, after I discovered the Isabella Gardner Museum concert podcast, I went exploring the 'net for more classical music podcasts and found a cornucopia of classical delights to share with you.

A word about podcasts first. The most frequent question I hear is, " do I have to own and iPod to listen to a podcast?" The answer is no. All you need is the computer, which you must already have or you'd not be reading this now. A podcast is simply an episodic audio file, usually delivered once a week. Generally, try to locate a "listen" or "download" button wherever you surf and you should be in business. Most podcast pages now have an embedded "player" so you don't even have to download the show. Everything you need to know about podcasts can be found here.

Now, onto the discoveries! For this first volume, we'll look at some of the available symphony podcasts.

The London Philharmonic Orchestra has a monthly podcast of their pre-concert lectures. The lectures are short (mostly about a half hour), very entertaining and informative. I spent a little time last night learning about Mahler's Bach arrangements.

The San Fransisco Symphony's podcast is another fun way to learn a little about classical music.

Alan Gilbert, podcast host for the New York Philharmonic, interviews the guest artists and conductors each week.

The Berlin Philharmonic does a weekly video podcast, and in English to boot. If you want to see Pierre Boulez chatting with Emmanuel Pahud, this is the podcast for you.

Well, these are just a few of the available podcasts. Next time, we'll look at podcasts of classical music programs.

Happy listening!
Chris

JUST OPENED, Friday May 20th, 2011

2011-05-18T08:50:00.000-07:00

MUSIC FOR VIOLA AND ORCHESTRA
Lawrence Power, viola
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
David Atherton, cond.
HYPERION 0 34571 1774 2
Four works of Hindemith juxtapose his early and later works for viola and orchestra, which also contrasts lighter (earlier), and darker (later). Lawrence Power brings excellence to these works, illuinating the richness of the viola's voice.

IN A LYRICAL WAY
Music for horn & piano by Flemish Masters
Jeffrey Powers, horn
Vincent DeVries, piano
MSR Classics 6 81585 1266 2 2
This is a collection of works for horn and piano from the late 1800s through the mid 1900s. It provides a nice combination of pieces with the melodic line of art songs with works which lean toward the "newer" sound of more challenging tonalities. Powers richness of tone and expression are a joy, and De Vries is a full partner in these works at the piano. Easy on the ear for any "classical" music lover, this is an especially sure bet for any brass enthusiast!

DANIEL BARENBOIM PLAYS CHOPIN
The Warsaw Recital
D.G. 0 28947 79519 3
Recorded live on the eve of Chopin's 200th birthday (in 2010), we have the work of a mature virtuosos pianist "in the finest form of his life" (MusicalCriticism.com). Fantasias, a Nocturne, a Sonata, the Barcarolle, a polonaise and many waltzes provide a varied overview of this beloved composer, played by one of the world's best.

HENRYK WIENIAWSKI
Polonaise Brillante
Virtuoso Music for Violin
Joanna Madroszkiewicz, violin
Manfred Wagner-Artzt, piano
MDG 7 60623 08632 3
Often called the Chopin of the violin, Wieniawski's works combine tremendous technical challenge for the violinist with the lyricicm and folk-inspired melodic structures that make them easily appealing. This is solo violin work at it's most accessible AND impressive. Like Chopin, he uses the polonaise, mazurka and waltz idioms, and Wieniawski also joins the romantic movement with Legende and Fantasie brilliante with an early foreshadowing of the early tonalities of modernity. Joanna Madroszkiewicz has a jaw-droppping mastery of the violin. The Schertzo tarantelle has been compared to the complexity of Paganini's most difficult pieces. While in many of these works the piano is relegated to a secondary status, Wagner-Artzt is given a nice showcase in the Polonaise concertante. ********** I have a confession: while I love the "wall of sound" that violins create within orchestral works, that can raise you on a tide of surging emotion, I am not a big fan of solo violin work in general. This makes it all the more noteworthy that THIS CD is my delight of the week.... This is the kind of solo violin work that combines melodic enchantment, technical expertise, rhythmic accessibility and showmanship that makes the violin so beloved.

ALESSANDRO STRIGGIO
Mass in 40 Parts
I Fagilini (CD and DVD set)
Robert Hollingworth, cond.
DECCA B004EQ1424
The famed, almost mythical 40-part mass of 1500s composer Alessandro Striggio is brought to glorious life by I Fagilini in cooperation from expert early music musicians from the groups: Fretwork, The Rose Consort of Viols, The English Cornet and Sackbutt Ensemble, and The City Musick. These instrumentalists are joined by a glorious chorus to record this never before recorded work, and other early works "in situ" in a cathedral from the period. This set includes a CD of the works and a DVD of the creation/performance of the work. The combination of this attention to the historical accuracy, the musicianship, and location create a work that brings full force to the spirit of the music. These works create an atmosphere that evokes the great paintings of a singing host of angels. This is both a laudible (and fully successful) effort, but a moving, joyous and uplifting experience. If you're looking for early music performance that is truly special and rare, this is it.

I hope you enjoied these, and I'll be with you next Friday on JUST OPENED.
Kara Dahl Russell

The Creative Commons Classical Concert

2011-05-17T15:15:00.000-07:00

Chris here-

Here's something I just stumbled upon. The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, Ma. has been hosting classical music concerts for a long time. In 2006, the began offering podcasts of the concerts. The best part is that they are absolutely 100% free!

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum did a very smart thing. The podcasts are released under a Creative Commons license that allows you to download and share the music, so long as you don't use it for commercial purposes or modify it and properly attribute the Museum. You can find out more by clicking here .

You can listen to the podcast on your computer right now by clicking here or, if you are iTunes savvy, you can subscribe to the podcast feed .

Happy listening!

JUST OPENED, Friday May 13, 2011

2011-05-17T08:45:00.000-07:00

JULIUS BURGER
Radio Symphonie Orchester, Berlin
Simone Young, cond.
Toccata Classics 0001
This CD features the works of composer Julius Burger (1897-1995). A modern composer with roots in Romaniticism his works are a mixture of both, bringing some challenging tonalities (and atonalities) to the romantic medium, and perhaps more importantly, infusing his modern works with the mystery, melodic line, and poetry of the romantic period. While some will find his works dark and challenging, it is important to say that the remants of his romanticism make his works more accessible and satisfying than many of the more outre modern composers. Baritone Michael Krauss joins the "Mahler sized" symphony for "Still of Night" and "Legend" for Baritone and orchestra, both growing directly out of the romantic art song movement. Cellist Maya Beiser plays the challenging CELLO CONCERTO that brings mysticism and other worldliness to the complex mix of tonalities. Scherzo for Strings and Variations of a theme of Kal Phillipp Emanuel Bach complete the CD. This CD presents a varied program of this artist's range and talent. I highly recommend this CD for someone who is timid about modern music, but who wants to explore these boundaries - I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

TCHAIKOVSKY & SHAKESPEARE
Simon Bolivar Symp.Orch. of Venezuela
Gustavo Dudamel, cond.
D.G. B0015296
The current "it boy" of the international conducting scene brings his lauded energy and enthusiasm to these dark works of Tchaikovsky. Not intended as programmatic pieces, these works are not intended to echo the storyline, nor to be able to accompany the plays, rather they are symphonic works inspired by the Shakespearian stories. Liner notes are by actor/musicologist Simon Callow who brings insight to the works and the performance. Moody and passionate, this is an interesting grouping, thematically similar (in being tradgedies), beautifully performed.

BOREALIS EN SALON
The Borealis Wind Quintet
MSR 1250
The Borealis Wind Quintet has a marvelous blend that is a joy to hear. They bring their copious combined talents to "lesser" works that were originally designed for the "salon." More specifically, works that were intended to be played by gifted amateurs who gathered after dinner to play works for their family and friends that were composed to charm. How much more charming then, to have them presented here together played by accomplished profesionals, like a dessert tray after fine dining. "Lesser known composers" and "chamber works" can be perjorative terms in the music world, but here is tangible proof that these works can give as much joy as any "major" work by a "great" composer. (As if you couldn't guess -) This is my delight of the week.... possibly of the month, or more!

SHORT STORIES
A collection of music for 2 harps
The Salzedo Harp Duo
AZIKA 71226
Nancy Lendrim and Jody Guinn are each accomplished and respected harpists in their own right. Orchestral work, soloists, chamber musicians, and Salzedo method teachers, they have joined forces to play together (and record... they now have 2 CDs). This CD represents the less frequently played repertoire of compositions, transcriptions and arrangements by Carlos Salzedo specifically for two harps. Lendrim and Guinn come together both by their similar backgrounds, and their joint desire to research and preserve repertoire. They were coached by the renowned Alice Chalifoux (who ran a Salzedo summer "harp camp" for years) for this recording. This CD is largely a collection of shorter works, and the tremendous variety makes it easy on the ear... enjoiable both to the attentive listener, and those who want soothing dinner music.

Join me next Friday at 1PM for more new CD releases, JUST OPENED!
Kara Dahl Russell

JUST OPENED, May 6, 2011

2011-05-10T09:20:00.000-07:00

EXPLORATIONS

New Transcriptions for Bassoon

Benjamin Coelho, bassoon

Uriel Tsachor, piano

MSR 6 81585 12372 0

Works by Bach, Beethoven, Schumann and Brahms demonstrate both the mainstream rigor and the versatility of the bassoon. These new transcriptions were penned by Coelho himself. It is not that unusual to hear these standard works transcribed for another instrument. Indeed, in many cases the original composer himself made various versions for a variety of solo instruments. What makes this special is the voice of the bassoon itself, warm, soft and reassuring.

BRAHMS SYMPHONY 4

Orchestre Revolutionnaire et Romantique

John Eliot Gardiner, cond.

SOLI DEO GLORIA 8 43183 07052 7

Works by Beethove, Gabrieli, Shutz and Bach flesh out the program on this excellent CD, leading up to three works by Brahms, Geistliches Lied, Fest-und Gedunkspruche, culminating in the title symphony. The combination of smaller and larger symphonic works, and the beauty of this Brahms symphony, make this CD my delight of the week!

CHOPIN CONCERTOS

Daniel Barenboim, piano

Staatskapelle Berlin

Andris Nelsons, cond.

D.G. 0 28947 79520 9

A magnificent live recording of this mature piano virtuoso combined with one of the rising young conductors on the world stage, with this internationally renowned orchestra.

SUMMER NIGHT CONCERTS

Schoenbrunn 2010

Yefim Bronfman, piano

Vienna Philharmonic

Franz Welser-Most, cond.

This CD is like having your own picnic under the stars. A lovely collection of lighter symphonic works, including film themes by John Williams, two piano concertos by Liszt, and works by Lanner and Strauss, this is a joy. (This was recorded live at a festival outdoors, and there is some very slight ambient sound that may bother audio buffs who want a totally “clean” studio sound.) This program is also available on DVD.

CANTUS

That Eternal Day

CTS - 0 55020 12102

The “premier men’s vocal ensemble in the United States” (Fanfare) presents a follow up to its successful release of African American Spirituals. This compilation includes a broader range of spiritual works, including songs from a 1640s Psalter book, Shaker songs, shape-note hymns, and even a new work by Bobby McFerrin! If you're a fan of men's chorus, this CD is a must-own.

We hope you enjoied the sampling of these new releases, and that you'll join us next week for JUST OPENED.

Kara Dahl Russell

WSCL HONORED for 15TH YEAR OF “CELEBRATION OF MUSIC”

2011-05-06T08:40:00.000-07:00

The Classical music radio station WSCL-fm is being honored for bringing a live classical music festival to Delmarva for 15 years. This concert which was first presented in May of 1996 is titled “The Celebration of Music”. The festival celebrates regional classical music performers, and the glory of classical music which has withstood the test of time. The first “Celebration of Music” was held at Asbury Church in 1996, and Asbury has hosted this event practically every year since then. Both performers and audiences enjoy the acoustics of the Nave at Asbury which is transformed into a romantic setting with flowers and candlelight. This year’s Celebration of Music will be presented on Saturday, May 21^st at 7:30 pm.

This year’s concert will welcome the Allegheny Ensemble, comprised of Jeffrey Schoyen, cello, Sachiho Murasugi, violin and Ernest Barretta, piano; performing movements from the Arensky Piano Trio and the Debussy Piano Trio…two of the most beautiful pieces in the piano trio repertoire. Dr. Schoyen is conductor of the Salisbury Symphony Orchestra and his wife Sachiho Murasugi is concert mistress of the SSO. Other performers associated with Salisbury University are Lee Knier, trombone, and Megan Centineo, mezzo-soprano. Mr. Knier will be performing the Canzonetta by Victor Herbert. Ms. Centineo will sing the lovely Love Bade Me Welcome by Ralph Vaughan Williams.

The evening’s performances will also feature Catherine Justice-Lard who has returned to America after living in Paris, France for several years. Ms. Justice is much sought-after soprano who is from Salisbury, now residing in Chantilly, Virginia. She will be singing a beloved aria by Meyerbeer, as well as a coloratura tour-de-force “Variations on Ah, vous dirai-je, Mamam” by Mozart.

The Asbury Chancel Choir will be highlighted reprising selections of the Mozart REQUIEM. The Tuba Mirum section will feature soloists Melissa Graham, soprano; Megan Centineo, mezzo-soprano; Don McCabe, tenor; and Jim Andrews, bass. Asbury’s Director of Music, Robert Young, will perform organ selections, in addition to directing the choir. Also joining in the evening’s musical festival will be flutist Pamela Guidetti-Latimer, who is a concertizing musician who has performed in Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center and the Library of Congress, to name a few famous venues. Ms. Guidetti will perform the Poulenc Flute Sonata.

Also performing will be Dana Limpert, playing “Concert on Themes of La Favorita of Donizetti” for oboe. Amy Vennos, piano, will play the Liebestraum of Franz Liszt.

Last year, the Asbury Church Music Committee took over the organization and presentation of “The Celebration of Music”. This year’s concert is sponsored by The Peter & Judy Jackson Music Performance Fund. The concert is free and open to the public.

Handel's MESSIAH at S.U.

2011-04-28T08:33:00.001-07:00

Just this morning at 11AM I had an interview with soprano Katrin Thawley who will be one of the featured student soloists in Handel's MESSIAH this Saturday April 30th, in Holloway Hall on the S.U. campus at 7:30 PM. There will be guest artist soloists in addition to the voice major soloists, and the Harlem Festival Orchestra will provide the orchestral basis. Look at the "Classical Chat" podcast listings here on the left, and click on "Soprano Kat Thawley" to hear the interview.

Kara Dahl Russell
Classical Music Host

JUST OPENED, Friday April 29, 2011

2011-04-26T13:34:00.000-07:00

This week we're featuring a wide variety of works, from historical to modern, from major labels to artist produced, from large orchestral works to solo instruments.

MARATHON: music for solo horn
Michelle Stebleton, horn
MSR classics #6 81585 11322 6
It is rare to spend this much time with solo horn outside of the recital hall. This is a tour de force work for horn, a display of Stebleton's tremendous range, and flawless tone. The works themselves are mostly modern and some are a bit of a challenge for the listener, but there is a wide variety here that is incredibly rewarding. Listen carefully to these works and you are bound to learn something about the horn.

SONGS OF AMY BEACH
Patrick Mason, baritone
Joanne Polk, piano
BRIDGE #0 90404 91822 3
Amy Beach was a ground breaking female composer, and quite prolific. These songs are a wonderful cross section of her works, from early to later, sung by the luxurious baritone voice of Mason with sure, fleet accompaniment by Polk.

An example of "free form" (measureless) Baroque music - original from the hand of Couperin. Eric Satie experimented with a return to this style in the early 1900s.

Le Clavecin Francais:
ELIZABETH JACQUET de la GUERRE
Karen Flint, harpsichord 2CD set
PLECTRA 8 84501 43267 2
Along with Bach and Rameau, there was the lusciously beautiful Elizabeth Jacquet, another groundbreaking female composer. As with many composers of the pre-bach era, her preludes are written in "Baroque Free Form" (see picture above, of a free form composition by Couperin); measureless works that allow tremendous freedom, and a good deal of intellectual quandry, for modern musicians. It was common in this transitional period that the prelude would remain in this free form, while the rest of the suite would follow the traditional dance suite form, and this is how the works of Jacquet unfold. In this comprehensive set by the marvelously talented Karen Flint, we can hear the development of the composer's taste and musicality. This is a beautiful "coffee table CD" presentation of great music with beautiful cover & artwork, and a comprehensive booklet on the works. While harpsichord music is not everyone's cup of tea, I love this period of music, and this 2 CD set is my delight of the week.

NICOLA BENEDETTI, violin
Tchaikovsky/Bruch - Violin Concertos
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra,
Jakub Hrusa, conductor
D.G. London Decca # 0 28947 64092 9
Two magnificent violin concertos played with verve and deftness by this young artist, with the support of a great orchestra.

TCHAIKOVSKY 2CD set
music for piano & orchestra
Jerome Lowethal, piano
London Symphony Orchestra
Serfiu Comissiona, cond.
BRIDGE #0 90404 93012 6
A world class orchestra and a seasoned piano virtuoso bring works of this timeless composer to life. The transcriptions include original versions of two concertos, one with the optional ending recorded as a separate track, in addition the Concert Fantasy in G major.

LULLABIES FOR LILY
Melissa Tardiff Dvorak, harp
www.capitolharpist.com
"Local" harpist Melissa Tardiff Dvorak makes a very savvy move to have her first CD be only lullabies. Lullabies are especially suited to the harp, and while many harpists have recorded one or two as part of a larger program, it is a rare treat to have an entire repertoire of lullabies. And of course, this is very practical for young mothers, and as a baby shower gift. One or two lever harpists have recorded CDs of lullabies, but to my knowledge, Tardiff Dvorak is the first pedal harpist to do so. It is, of course, the mark of seasoned, confident professional. Graduate of Peabody, regularly performing with National orchestras, as well as teaching, Tardiff Dvorak has the freedom to record what she likes. The result it this enjoiable compilation of lullabyes (dedicated to her first child as she expects her second) from spare and simple, to the "grand" cradle songs of Tournier and Hasselmans.

We hope you enjoied these selections, and that you'll join us
next week for JUST OPENED.
Kara Dahl Russell

JUST OPENED, Friday April 22, 2011

2011-04-25T08:28:00.000-07:00

Our mix of music this week on just opened was levened with a recognition of Good Friday, playing the complete German Requium by Brahms, and opening Trio Wanderer's new CD which is brooding and melancholy enough to make Lord Byron rest more easily in his grave.

ISAAC ALBENIZ:
Spanish Music for Classical Guitar
David Russell, guitar
TELARC 8 88072 32712 2
David Russell returns his great gifts of precision and musicality to some of the best known and most beloved works for guitar, by one of the all time great composers for the instrument.

DVORAK: Symphony No. 8 & No. 9
Budapest Festival Orchestra,
Ivan Fischer, cond.
CHANNEL CLASSICS 7 23385 90110 5
Conductor Fisher contrasts these two works of the great Antonin Dvorak; the 8th, a work singing of the pastures and beauty of the old world, with the 9th ("From the New World") which combines homesickness with the bustle of the city.

BRAHMS: A German Requiem
Radio Orchestra & Chorus, Berlin
Marek Janowski, cond.
PENTATONE 8 279 49 03616 3
Brahms' (known for his leaning toward agnosticism) moving requiem to the words of the Bible is testament to the fact that a great composer can create a work of moving conviction that speaks to those of different faiths. This excellent rendition includes the voices of soprano Camilla Tilling and baritone Detlef Roth.

IMOGEN COOPER AND
THE NORTHEN SINFONIA:
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Bradley Creswick, co-director
AVIE 8 22252 2200 2 5
Piano virtuoso Imogen Cooper plays the solo and conducts the Northern Sinfonia on two delightful piano concertos of Mozart.

TRIO WANDERER:
Smetena Piano Trio
Liszt Elegies
HARMONIA MUNDI 7 94881 98302 5
Trio Wanderer puts their talent to work at the service of some dark masters... works of mourning, melancholy, and melody, of course. Lizst's Tristia, Elegies, Forgotten Romance and the Funeral Gondola buffer Smetana's dark trio. It takes a trio of this high reputation and recognition to make a CD that is so uniformly "non-commercial" in its brooding pensiveness. While it is hard to call works this dark delightful, this CD is my "delight" of the week.

'til next week... enjoy the music life offers you!
Kara Dahl Russell

The Rings and The Ring

2011-04-05T12:37:00.000-07:00

As EXPLO-RING MUSIC demystifies the "Ring Cycle" of Wagner this week, you may want to do some exploring on your own to find out a bit more about the interplay I mentioned today between Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" and Wagner's cycle.

It's easy to do your own web search (using various combinations of Wager + Tolkien + ring), but here are some interesting links to get you started going round and round with the "Rings" (It's enough to make you stand in a circle and loudly sing, "Rheingold! Rheingold!" )

http://www.isi.org/lectures/text/pdf/birzer.pdf http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2003/12/22/031222crat_atlarge http://www.altrementi.com/tolkien_wagner.htm

Enjoy! Kara Dahl Russell, Classical Music Host WSCL 89.5

JUST OPENED, Friday April 1st, 2011

2011-03-31T14:11:00.000-07:00

We focused on lighter works for some April Fools Funshines!

TAKING FLIGHT: Adam Frey, euphonium New Zeland Symphony Orchestra, Bruce Hangen, cond. MSR 1248
The new hot euphonium stud, Adam Frey takes on many works that are associated with other instruments, and makes them euphonius! Whether playing a rhapsody originally composed for violin, or a trumpeter's matador entrance, Frey makes it all work with deft technical and melodic skill. The unusual mix of these works with a great orchestra makes this CD my "delight of the week!"

THOMAS PANDOLFI, piano http://www.thomaspandolfi.com/ #46366
Thomas Pandolfi is well known in Europe as a pre-eminent interpreter of George Gershwin and Franz Liszt. This CD focuses on the work of Gershwin, the original solo version of Rhapsody in Blue, Pandolfi's own improvizations on Gershwin melodys, and Earl Wild's etude based on Gershwin's "Lady Be Good." Toss in encores of Joplin and Lloyd Webber, and you've got quite a bit of fun.

TALES OF BEATRIX POTTER: John Lachbery Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, John Lachbery, cond. EMI 545372
This CD records the music from the Royal Ballet Film, "Tales of Beatrix Potter." The music stands on it's own, bringing smiles with bells, whistles, brass riffs that remind us of Sousa, and even a work that features banjo (Mrs. Tiggy Winkle's Laundry)! This is pure orchestral joy!

MUSIC OF THE BELLE EPOQUE: Azusa Shimizu, guitar MSR 1301
After her previous impressive CD where she demonstrated her technical skills in transcriptions of Bach works, Shimizu now brings us the romanticism, infectious melody, swooning rhythms, and lyricism of the quitar playing these glorious works from the turn of the 1900s.

GERSWIN-CHAIILLY-BOLLANI Stefano Bollani, piano with Gewandhausorchester Riccardo Chailly, cond. London Decca 15311
Starting with the jazz band version of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, Chailly leads this orchestra through the "Catfish Row Suite" (melodys from Porgy and Bess), to a rollicking cabaret/piano bar version of Rialto Ripples. The Concerto in F for Piano in Orchestra can be a stumbling block for some orchestras, the opening section can falter and the brass can sound immature, but here I find my favorite recording so far. It begins at a tight pace and unfolds with sure-footed verve under Chailly's masterful baton. Jazz pianist Bollani adds pizzaz while he prooves his chops.

We hope you enjoyed Just Opened this week. JUST OPENED will be on hiatis during the membership drive, and will return on April 22nd. Kara Dahl Russell

JUST OPENED - Friday March 25, 2011

2011-03-25T09:15:00.000-07:00

BRAHMS
Zuill Bailey, cello, Awadagin Pratt, piano
TELARC 32664
Two of the hottest artists in the classical music world team up to bring us a great variety of the works of Brahms, written for piano and cello. A variety of Sonnets, songs, and larger works display the range of Brahms and this duo.

DEBUSSY: Le Martyre de Saint Sebastien
National Orchestra of Lyon, Jun Markl, cond.
NAXOS 572297
Debussy wrote music for the controversial work of Gabrielle D'Annunzio, "The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian." Controversial because it combined the biblical figure of Saint Sebastian with the greek myth of Adonis, hightening the homo-erotic interest of the story, then he had his current mistress play the Saint herself. D'Annunzio's work was known for illustrating "the voluptuous life" of the late 1800s and turn of the century, and this production was not only forbidden to all Catholics by the Pope, but it was the last straw that led to the Pope putting all of D'Annunzio's writing on the Index of Forbidden Books. Debussy's music is fittingly dark and experimental in this work, less melody driven. Also on this CD are several other works written for dance and other stage works - the delicious variety of Debussy.

CHOPIN: The Complete Works, Vol. 2
Ian Hobson, piano
ZEPHYR 133-09
Hobson continues his tribute to Chopin with this Volume 2. Small dances and other morcels set off larger works relief.

BRUCKNER: Symphony No. 8
Mozarteumorchester, Ivor Bolton, cond.
OEHMS CLASSICS 751

Bruckner's symphony is darkly romantic and evokes yearning and struggle to achieve.

NEW ARTS TRIO at Chatagua
FLEUR DE SON Classics 58000
This revered piano trio who have a history of playing at the renowned Chatagua Summer Sessions provide us a sampling of the esoteric modern works inspired by a futeristic quasi-religious fable and another by philosphy, and a more tratitional trio for piano, violin and cello by Dvorak, and the always tempting rhythms of Piazzolla.

We hope you enjoied these, and I'll be sharing more new releases with you next week
on JUST OPENED, Friday at 1PM.
Kara Dahl Russell

Just Opened, Friday March 18, 2011

2011-03-23T08:18:00.000-07:00

SACHIKO FURUHATA-KERSTING, piano
OEHMS 4 260034 86774 1
She begin playing piano at the age of three, studying in Yokohama Japan, then Tokyo, then Germany. Her concert tours have taken her throughout Europe, Japan, Russia and the U.S. This CD features the Romantic Period works of Mendelssohn, Schumann and Liszt.

HARP CONCERTOS (2 CD set)

Marielle Nordmann, harp w/ Francois-Rene Duchable, piano

Orchestre D'Auvergne, Jean-Jaques Kantoro, cond., and

Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra, Theodor Fuschlbauer, cond.

Virgin Classics 7 24356 22182 6

Nordman is known throughout the world, having played and recorded with many orchestras, and with flautist Jean-Pierre Rampal for several CDs. The first CD focuses on late Baroque and Classical works: Handel's seminal Harp Concerto, and transcriptions for harp of works by Vivaldi, Petrini and Zach. The second CD is devoted to the works of composer Elias Parish Alvars, whose work is known for lilting melody and unusual combinations. The Harp Concerto ends with a bouncing tune requiring phenomenal dexterity, and the latter two works are Alvar's works for harp and piano.

VIOLIN SONATAS

Vadim Repin, violin and Nikolai Lugansky, piano

D.G. 0 28947 78794 5

The "high powered Repin/Lugansky team" perform three fascinating sonatas by Leos Janacek, Edvard Grieg, and Cesar Frank. They are said to be two performers more interested in exploring the personality of the composer, than parading themselves.

While the Harp Concertos has a place in my heart and my regular listening, this CD of Violin Sonatas is my "delight of the week." Both for the stength of the duo (the regularly recital together), and the great contrast between the works, to give a real cross-section of this Violin/Piano Sonata genre.

JOHANNES BRAHMS

Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68

Hamburg Philharmonic, Simone Young, cond.
1876 was the year that Wagner premiered his Ring cycle. Wagner had not only declared the symphonic form "dead," but said that anyone who attempted it after Beethoven must be insane. Despite his own insecurities, Brahms prooved himself up to the task!

SERGEI RACHMANINOFF (2 CD set)

Complete works for Two Pianos

Nina Schumann & Luis Magalhaes

http://www.twopianists.co.za/ 103 903-9

From the composer who gave us his luscious Variations on a Theme of Paganini, here is a delightful mixture of symphonic dances, morceaux,
Suites, preludes, and a Rhapsody that was published after his death; played by two seasoned recitalists with international credentials and experience.

I wish I had had more time to devote to this last one... masterful playing by this piano duo in works that are luxurious and evokative, and fun!

I hope you enjoy these, and I look forward to opening more "new" music for you next week!

Kara Dahl Russell

2011-03-17T09:24:00.000-07:00

On Monday, Liz Layton (Member of the SSO Board and long time Delmarva Public Radio volunteer & member) turned the tables on me and interviewed me! She said folks were wondering "who I was and where I came from." (Interview actually recorded on March 2nd... in the early morning before I had brushed my hair or had my coffee... hence my gravel-low, Lauren Bacall, morning-voice tones!)

The version that was aired was masterfully edited by our News Director, Don Rush. He took out all my stumblings and bumblings, and afew questions hit the cutting room floor. (And our Producer & on-air Host Chris Ranck kindly converted it to a link for us, here.)

Here is the entire interview, if you'd like to hear it all, just click this link:
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/delmarva/delmarva.mediaplayer?STATION_NAME=delmarva&MEDIA_ID=958141&MEDIA_EXTENSION=mp3&MODULE=delmarva

DelmarvaPublic Radio - Classical Music Host,
Kara Dahl Russell

JUST OPENED, Friday March 11, 2011

2011-03-16T07:22:00.000-07:00

We began this week with one of the biggest "cross over" stars classical music has had, ever. Simone Dinnerstein's self-produced CD of Bach's Goldberg Variations not only topped the classical charts, but ALL music charts. We begin with her new collection of works, again by Bach.

BACH:A STRANGE BEAUTY
Simone Dinnerstein, piano

Kammerorchester Staatskapelle Berlin

She has been compared to Glenn Gould - in having her own unique and expressive interpretation and approach to the works of J.S.Bach. This CD combines both solo works and orchestral works.

Violin Concerto, String Sextet No. 2
Isabelle Faust
HMC 90275
Mahler Chamber Orchestra, Daniel Harding, cond.

Faust takles the work that Hans Von Bulow called "a concerto against the violin" and the sextet, the composers homage to his beloved.

ANNA NETREBKO: SOUVENIRS

Prague Philharmonic (and choir),

Emmanuel Billaume, cond.

D.G. 0 28947 78101

Singing in nine languages, Netrebko selects pieces of personal significance, which display the full variety of her glorious voice.

ARVO PART: Symphony No. 4

Los Angeles Philharmonic

Esa-Pekka Salonen, cond.

ECM 0 28947 63957 2

This symphony of Arvo Part is dedicated to Los Angeles, and based on the text "Canon of the Guardian Angel." Part says, "I wanted to give the words and opportunity to choose their own sound. The resule... was a piece wholly pervaded by this special Slavonic diction found only in church texts."

TAKAKO NISHIZAKI plays

SUZUKI EVERGREENS vol. 6

Naxos 7 47313 23837 8

With Terence Dennis, piano, and various orchestral groups
Her father was a Suzuki instructor, and she was taught by Suzuki himself as she progressed. Nishizaki is one of the worlds most recorded violinists, having recorde most major concertos, and in 2005 she was named by Newsweek among the "Japanese the world most admires."

MITSUKO UCHIDA: SCHUMANN

Davidsbundlertanze Op. 6, Fantasie in C major

London Decca 0 28947 28880 6 (2CD set)

Both a pianist and conductor, Uchida has a celebrated musicality and depth of feeling, which she lends to these works of Schumann. She has an extensive recording history, of the major composers, Bach, Beethove, Mozart, Schumann and Schubert. The second CD of the set is a rare interview by James Jolly of Uchida where she discusses the work of Schumann.

We hope you enjoied these, and we'll have more new music next week on Just Opened!

Kara Dahl Russell

Today's Music ... and Films

2011-03-08T11:54:00.000-08:00

It happens that today we've aired several works that are prominent in film scores, and mentioned others. I thought you might like to see the names again, and perhaps view the films again with an ear toward the music and how it sets the tone.

A PLACE IN THE SUN suite
Composer: Franz Waxman (who wrote so many scores for Hitchcock films)
John Williams conducting the London Symphony Orchestra
The Film: A Place In the Sun (1951 w/ Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift)
A film of youthful angst rebelling against societal norms, and the romance of a brash confused youth with the unbelievably beautiful young socialite.

NOCTURNE: Clouds, Festivals, and Sirens
Composer: Claude Debussy
Jun Markl conducting the National Orchestra of Lyon
The Film: Portrait of Jenny (1948 B&W w/ Joseph Cotton and Jennifer Jones)
A purely magical romance that blends winter landscapes, stormy seas, ghosts, time travel, fine art, and music into a transporting work of art. (At many points in the film a lens effect is used to make the film itself look as if it were printed on canvas.) This, and other works of Debussy are used extensively and woven throughout the film.

"Portrait of Jenny" brought to mind two other great pairings of mystery, romance, time travel (and music):

Somewhere in Time (1980 w/ Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeve)- which relys heavily on Rachmaninov's Variations on a theme of Paganini
and
Peter Ibbetson (1935 B&W w/ Gary Cooper and Ann Harding) - the early prototype for time and location travel through love (and art - including archetecture)!

Do you know of any other magical combinations where music carries a romantic film? Please share them with us here in the comments!

Kara Russell, Classical Music Host

JUST OPENED, Feb. 25th, 2010

2011-03-01T09:30:00.000-08:00

MURRAY PERAHIA: BRAHMS
Sony Classical 8 8697 79469 9
The works of Johannes Brahms, Handel Variations Op. 24, Two Rhapsodies Op. 79, Six Piano Pieces Op. 118, and Four Piano Pieces Op. 119 played by Murray Perahia, a virtuoso pianist of maturity in years and artistry, at the height of his powers.

ROBERT SCHUMANN: Florian Uhlig, clavier/piano
Hannsler Classic4 010276 023227
German Radio Philharmonic; Christoph Poppen, cond.
German born Florian Uhlig did his advanced piano studies in London, and now travels the world concertizing in solos, chamber groups, and with world renowned orchestras. In 2008 he became Artistic Director of the Johannesburg International Mozart Festival. Here he plays works for piano and orchestra in a program entirely by the beloved and accessible composer Robert Schumann, including two “new” works: a reconstructed and completed Concerto Movement for Piano and Orchestra in D Minor, and the Abegg Variations, which Schumann envisaged for piano and orchestra, but did not complete, the orchestration now realized by Joachim Draheim.

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH: Azusa Shimizu, guitar
Works and Transcriptions for Guitar
Bach works have become a staple for guitarists to prove their manual and musical dexterity. Guitarist Shimizu makes it clear in her notes that for her, these works are much more personal, almost an experience of sublime meditation. Indeed, the cover art portrays a nun, and Bach himself regularly spoke of his works as being devoted to “the glory of the Lord.” Having studies French Literature in Tokyo, Shimizu studied music in Nice, Boulogne, and Copenhagen. An artist of maturity and thoughtfulness, she is a Laureate artist from the Palm d’Or in Italy, and has toured extensively in Asia and Europe.

DVORAK Symphony No. 6
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra; Marin Alsop, cond.
The BSO has made it a mission to record all of Dvorak’s symphonies, and the results have been beautiful. This CD includes not only the full symphony, but also two shorter works, Nocturne in B major, Op. 40, and Scherzo Capriccioso, Op. 66.

ROSSO Italian Baroque Arias: Patricia Petibon
Deutsche Grammophon 477 8763
Every once in a while, an opera performer comes along that is so very delightful to watch, so engaging, that you find yourself wondering, “is her voice that great, or is it just that she is a joy on stage?” Then the recordings become the real test. Patricia Petibon is opera’s answer to Audrey Tautou: she is petite, eccentric, impish, sweet, with a great sense of humor about herself, just adorable. She can be seen in fine form in the DVD of Rameau’s most popular opera (during his lifetime): Les Indes Galantes, in the final act, as a love starved Native American maiden. She has specialized in Baroque opera. Her voice is indeed a gem, and demonstrates here her vocal adaptability from “yelling in the French manner” (as the Italians called French Baroque singing style) to the lighter, more floral Italian buffo style. This one is my “delight” pick of the week!

I hope you enjoy these, and I’ll be with you next Friday at 1PM on JUST OPENED.

Kara Dahl Russell

Just Opened, Feb. 18, 2010

2011-02-22T13:06:00.001-08:00

This Friday we felt the influence of film, theatre and entertainment on music:

LISA BATIASHVILI: Echos of Time
D.G. #0 28947 79299 4
Violinist Lisa Batiashvili with Helene Grimmaud, piano and
Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Esa-Pekka Salonen, cond.
Georgian-raised Batiashvili selected works by composers from Russia, or whose lives were affected by Russia. This personal mixture is also a study in contrasts, with modern works by Shostakovich and Arvo Part, and the musical oddity "V&V for violin, taped voice and string orchestra" (which sounds like a soundtrack for a psychological thriller), contrasted with lush romantic works by Shostakovich and Rachmaninov. Throughout, Batiashvili's violin work includes delicacy and precision with a velvety fullness.

TRUMPET CONCERTOS: Gabor Tarkovi, trumpet

TUDOR 8 12973 01169
Bamberger Symphony, Karl-Heinz Steffens, cond.

Concertos by Haydn, Leopold Mozart, Neruda and Hummel

These works, paired with the superb talent of Tarkovi, prove that trumpet works can be delicate and sweet as well as powerful. Tarkovi seems to favor these works from the late Baroque, early classical period, and he uses them to show the vast flexibility of his skills.

RONDO BRILLANTE: Joshua Pierce, piano

MSR Classics 6 81585 1196 2 4

Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra, Bystrik Rezucha, cond.

In this delicious collection of Early Romantic works, Pierce brings us the whole dessert tray of delightful, ornate works filled with lightness and deft precision. Truly Brillante!

LAUREATE SERIES: Guitar - Adriano Del Sal
Naxos 7 47313 26577 0

This 2010 CD recording displays the skills of Guitarist Adriano Del Sal in recital, under the auspices of The International Guitar Competition which he won in Spain in 2009. Familiar works by Torroba and Rodrigo are contrasted with a modern work by Morricone, and my favorite, Fernando Sors delicious Fantaisie, Op. 7

*** SPECIAL ATTENTION TO PARENTS AND EDUCATORS ***

MENDELSSOHN: Complete Incidental Music for

A Midsummer Night's Dream

NAXOS 7 47313 07949 6

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, James Judd, cond.

With Varisty voices, Nota Bene and sopranos:

Jenny Wollerman and Pepe Becker

While this CD is not for everyone's taste, as it includes spoken word, it interweaves Mendelssohn's music with text from Shakespeare's play to give us the full measure of the composer's intention and vision, putting the music in the perspective of the verse, and including the songs. Ultimately, I found this charming, and I think this CD has a real niche as specialty programming, and especially has a perfect use: to introduce children to the music and the play - the music in full, and the play in a much shortened form. If this is left on hand for a child, it is bound to excite interest in seeing the full works on stage and in concert.

I hope you enjoied these works, and I look forward to sharing more new releases with you next Friday!

Kara Dahl Russell

Pianist Stephen Hough in Lewes Delaware

2011-02-18T09:33:00.000-08:00

Next Friday, February 26th at 8PM, Coastal Concerts will have internationally revered pianist Stephen Hough in recital. Tickets are selling quickly, so you'll want to go to www.coastalconcerts.org to reserve your seat. Coastal Concerts is a regular underwriter of WSCL, and their concerts are held at Bethel United Methodist Church Hall, 4th and Market Streets in Lewes, Delaware.

This morning I aired an interview with David S. Christy, President of Coastal Concerts, who gave us alittle more information about the concert. To hear the interview, click on this link:

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/delmarva/local-delmarva-953203.mp3

This interview also includes two piano pieces written and performed by Stephen Hough: Valse Enigmatique Nos. 1 & 2 available on Hyperion Records, Stephen Hough's English Piano Album, CD #A67267.

JUST OPENED Feb. 11, 2011

2011-02-15T08:37:00.000-08:00

I'm late in getting this list to you this week, so I'll keep it brief. I look forward to sharing more "new" music with you this Friday.

BONJOUR PARIS: Albrecht Mayer, oboe
Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Mathias Monius, Cond.
London Decca 2 28947 82564 7
This CD was a real highlight for me. Not only do we have the lush, mellow, woodsy sound of solo oboe played by a master, but we really have the best of both worlds because he is in front of a symphony. Playing works that are almost always heard as solo works or solo instrument with piano, we have the full orchestration with Mayer, giving us an incredible “opening up” of these usually smaller works. If you love chamber music, and if you love full orchestra, this is a real treat, have your cake and eat it too!

HOLST – The Planets
Boston Symphony Orchestra, Seiji Ozawa, Cond.
Newton Classics 8 718247 710317

JOHANNES BRAHMS: Joshua Pierce, piano
Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonic Orch., Kirk Trevor, Cond.
MSR Classics 6 81585 1148 2 7
Johannes Brahms – Piano concerto No. 2 in B Flat Major, Op. 83, Cesar Frank – Les Djinns, and Franz List – Concerto Pathetique

PRIMAKOV IN CONCERT, Vol. 1: Vassily Primakov, piano
Bridge 0 90404 93222 9
Johannes Brahms – 2 Choral Preludes, Franz Schubert – “Wanderer” Fantasie, Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky – Album Pour Enfants, and Sergei Rachmaninoff – Sonata No. 2 in B Flat Minor

RAY CHEN, VIRTUOSO
Ray Chen, violin with Noreen Polera, piano
Sony Music 8 8697 82967 2
Guiseppe Tartini (arr. Kreisler) – Violin Sonata in G Minor “The Devil’s Trill, J.S. Bach – Chaconne from Partita in D minor, Henryk Wieniawski (arr. Saenger) – Legende in G minor, Cesar Frank – Sonata for Violin and Piano in A major
I want to make a particular mention of the exceptional accompaniment by Noreen Polera on this CD. Accompaniment can rise to it’s own art form, and here it is at a zenith. Her phrasing pairs with the virtuoso soloist beautifully. Chen has volcantic violin moods, and Polera matches him exceptionally.

I hope you enjoy these, and I’ll be with you next Friday at 1PM on JUST OPENED.
Kara Dahl Russell

Interview with BSO's Matthew Spivey

2011-02-10T10:51:00.000-08:00

This Friday, February 12th at 8PM, the Mid-Shore Symphony Society will host the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra at the Todd Performing Arts Center (Chesapeake College). Tickets are available at the door, or by calling 410-827-5867.

This morning I aired an interview with BSO's Matthew Spivey, who gave us alittle more information about the concert. To hear the interview, click on this link:

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/delmarva/local-delmarva-951502.mp3

WSCL-FM 89.5 Classical Music Host
Kara Dahl Russell

JUST OPENED Feb. 4, 2011

2011-02-07T13:03:00.000-08:00

Our apologies to radio listeners, we were off the air for about 40 minutes during JUST OPENED this week, due to work being done on our transmitter tower. Our online streaming listeners were able to continue receiving, and were able to hear the entirety of Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloe. However unfortunate, this was oddly appropriate for a week in which we featured works that can be downloaded, and Lang Lang’s soundtrack music for a racing simulation game.-------

We began this week with the soundtrack that brash & brilliant pianist LANG LANG created for a “video” game, Gran Turismo 5, a racing game. He is a fan of the game himself, and by scoring it with his works, he brings even more of himself to the game, and will also be introducing many of the gamer fans to classical works. In keeping with that, I should mention that this week, all of our selections (except Sky Loom) are available on the web to be downloaded to your ipod or other mp3 players; either the entire CD or individual pieces.

LANG LANG: Gran Turismo 5 Soundtrack
Sony Classical8 8697 82933 2
For those who are not gamers, Gran Turismo is a racing simulator game, and is considered by many to be the most realistic. The music of these games is usually a mixture of sound effects, rock and techno; so it is a breakthrough for classical music lovers to have these works infiltrate the sound effects of the game world. Knowing that Lang Lang chose these sections to be the soundtrack to a racing game, the choices are surprisingly conservative, but that also makes them a great introduction to classics for those gamers who may be totally unfamiliar with the music. With that in mind, the works are very diverse, composers from Bach to Prokofiev to Joplin. Of course, Lang Lang flexes his musical muscles for the mostly male world of gamers, with a good portion of very powerful pieces and a blazingly fast Minute Waltz which is a wow! BTW – if you have no intention of gaming, it’s still a solid collection of piano works by the young piano hotrod. (Special thanks to our PRD intern, Tyler Butler, for filling me in on the finer points of gaming.)

MAURICE RAVEL: Daphnis et Chloe,
Pavane pour une Infante Defunte, and Bolero
LSO 8 22231 16932 1
London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus,Valery Gergiev, cond.
Three of Ravel’s major works, the misty Daphnis and Chloe, the ancient dance music of the Pavanne, and the pulsating Bolero. Ravel famously said, “It is a pavanne for a dead princess, not a DEAD pavanne.” He meant for the work to be less elegiac, and more a reliving of a moment when the princess was dancing. His "Bolero" crossed over into pop chart history when it was used for the soundtrack of the film “10.” But the largest work on this CD is the poetic Daphnis et Chloe. Ravel did not mean for this to be a programmatic retelling of the mythology, but to create a sensually evocative mood. He achieved his desired effect!

SKY LOOM: Katherine Kemler, flute and Ann Benjamin, harp
Centaur CRC 2399
This CD of music for flute and harp “ain’t your Grandma’s flute and harp music.” In a collection of works almost entirely written after 1920 (some of these composers not even born until after 1950), we satisfied our listeners who crave modern works and some “dangerous” sounds. Heitzeg’s title work, Sky Loom, is one of the more challenging pieces, woven (pun intentional) with poetic titles that evoke “Mother Earth” worship and new age philosophy. Schaposchnikov’s Sonata opens the CD and it may be the most “accessible” piece, it premiered in 1925 and is reminiscent of the works from that period of Poulenc, who also wrote a beautiful Sonata for flute (and piano). Two works on this CD are very well known to harpists, Narhex for Flute and Harp ( a grouping of very short musical ideas) by Bernard Andres, and The Song of the Lark by Charles Rochester Young. Composed in 1965 based on the famous painting by Bretton, this work is especially known for its final movement, where the harpist weaves paper through the lower notes to create a percussive effect, also a bit like the sound of an electric guitar. In the painting, The Song of the Lark, the glow in the sky can be interpreted as both a lovely sunset, but also as the impeding industrial age, ending the bucholic way of life. In much the same way, this piece interweaves the pastoral and the modern. (CD is available through www.katherinekemler.com )

GEORGES BIZET: Orchestre de Paris, Paavo Jarvi, cong.
Virgin Classics 5 099962 861304
Symphony in C, Petit Suite d’Orchestre Op. 22 - Jeux d’enfants, and Roma
Dying at the early age of 36, these three works present Bizet’s reputation as a symphonic composer. In our last hour we had a little mini-vacation to Rome, delighting in this luscious version of Bizet’s Roma suite. Timeless works in the capable hands of one of the world’s great conductors, played by a world renowned orchestra.

OTTORINO RESPIGHI: Olli Mustonen, pianist
Ondine 0 761195 116524
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Sakari Oramo, cond.
The popular and beautiful “Fountains of Rome” is one of the works for which Resphighi is known. It is paired on this CD with a much less known, and rarely recorded piano concerto, “Concerto in Mixolydian Mode” which is a tour de force for the pianist, Olli Mustonen. Gregorian and Medieval music used “church modes” in much the same way that instruments of the time would be tuned differently for different works. (Similarly today, to play Middle Eastern, Japanese, or Chinese instruments, you would often be using a different musical scale.) To be specific, “the Mixolydian scale is G major with the F sharp of it’s seventh note replaced by F natural.” (Liner notes in CDs are a marvelous thing and educational in themselves.) This extended piano work (almost 40 minutes) represents the intellectual & achedemic yearnings of Respighi. I kept thinking of the ocean as I listened to this work – it has a large, ancient, heroic feel to it, although it also reminded me of Rachmaninov’s Variations on a Theme of Paganini. It is a nice contrast on this CD, of this lesser known large work, followed by the very accessible “Fountains.”

I hope you enjoy these, and I’ll be with you next Friday at 1PM on JUST OPENED.

Kara Dahl Russell

Apologies for some time without signal.

2011-02-04T10:29:00.000-08:00

Our apologies to our radio listeners. We are currently having work done on our transmitting tower, and we hope it will be completed by 3:00.

If you are streaming online, you should be able to continue to receive our broadcast of JUST OPENED.

Again, on behalf of PRD, my apologies, and we'll be back with Just Opened ASAP.

Kara Dahl Russell
Classical Music Host 89.5 FM

JUST OPENED, aired Friday Jan. 28, 2011

2011-01-31T10:19:00.000-08:00

When I listened to the CD of delightful clarinet music that was scheduled as a focus for this week’s JUST OPENED, I decided to call on a local clarinetist who greatly impressed me the last time we played together in the Salisbury Symphony Orchestra, Deborah Scott. (While I do hope to continue shedding some light on talented musicians on the DelMarVa Peninsula, don’t worry, interviews will not be a regular feature of JUST OPENED. The music remains primary!) Debbie is a working musician, and Band Teacher at Salisbury Christian School, and graciously made time at the last minute to come in and record an interview with me the same day I called. Her interview was spaced out through the first hour, and she had interesting thoughts about how a parent can help the young musician in their family. I will include those in a separate post.

PIERCE-AOMORI DUO MSR 6 81585 13822 9
We began with this CD which I can only describe as pure delight. I personally favor chamber works, and the particular works are this CD are so joyful, and two of them new to me. When Debbie Scott listened to the CD she sighed in joy at the beautiful tone of the clarinetist, Hideaki Aomori, paired throughout with pianist Joshua Pierce. We began with the Beethoven Trio in E-flat (which adds cellist Daniel Barrett), a work that is well known and beloved – perhaps Beethoven at his lightest. Felix Draseseke (pronounced Drah AY se kuh) 1835-1913 is a new composer to me, and his Sonata in B-Flat for Clarinet and Piano dances with playfulness. Norbert Burgmuller (1810-1836) brings out the lush romantic side of the clarinet in his Duo for Clarinet and Piano.

BACH PARTITAS Zaida Levin
Musicians Showcase 6 81585 10472 9
U.S born, internationally recognized violinist (since the age of 16) Zaida Levin brings a new flavor to these essential violin works. When you listen to many versions of the same works, you begin to hear nuances, including the “match” of the violinist and her violin. From the initial Partita, Levin and her instrument impart a new crispness, and strength to the double stops in these works. In other selections, a full bodied tone, like dark wine. Part of what makes her recording of these works unique is her choice to not use a period instrument, but to use her usual “modern” instrument and bow. This brings a new flavor to the works, along with her great interpretational skills.

TSCHAIKOWSKY SYMPHONIE NR.5
BRKlassik 4 1357819 001051
Mariss Jansons conducts the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Tschaikowsky’s great symphony about the struggle of a restless soul with fate is paired on this CD with his Fantasy After Dante, a work with which the composer was especially satisfied. For those who know Tschaikowsky through the sunny brilliance of his Nutcracker Ballet, this is an excellent introduction to the darker side of the artist, more prevalent in his work, both recorded by one of the great orchestras with one of the great conductors.

GERSHWIN Thomas Pandolfi www.thomaspandolfi.com
Peter Schmelzer conducts The Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra (Piano Concerto in F).
Thomas Pandolfi received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Juliard on scholarship. Now largely touring in Europe, he is recognized there and here as one of the foremost interpreters of George Gershwin’s music; not only for his performances, but for his inventive programming. Praised by music critics, including The New York Concert Review, the Washington Post described him as “an artist who is master of both the grand gesture and the sensual line. Pandolfi possesses first-rate technical skills, an unerring command of phrasing, a quicksilver touch and cunning legerdemain when it comes to pedaling… etched with calm and crystal clarity… outstanding.” CDs can be purchased through his own website or www.buyclassicalmusic.net .

I hope you enjoy these, and I’ll be with you next Friday at 1PM on JUST OPENED.
Kara Dahl Russell

2011-01-26T12:17:00.000-08:00

This is a more personal post than usual, concerning the life of a truly fine musician, a friend and mentor of mine. This week, I have played some works by piano virtuoso Yoshiko Kobayashi Yerkes, who died in the early morning today, Jan. 26, 2011. She was born and raised in Japan, traveled to India, became a resident of the United States, living in Redondo Beach, CA near Los Angeles (and she would say, finally resides with her Lord in Heaven). Her musical heritage can be traced firmly back to the classical masters: “Haydn, teacher of Beethoven, teacher of Lizst, teacher of Schnabel, teacher of Myers, teacher of Ewing, teacher of Yoshiko.”

Yoshiko battled cancer for about eight years through resurgences and remissions with tremendous grace, and surprising joy – which she always attributed to her faith in Christ. Through this personal difficulty, she continued to play, and to teach. She had a special gift for teaching children with a gentle firmness. She had a personal working relationship with Fred Bock (best known for his arrangements for hymnals & other religious works), her husband Steve is an accomplished musician, and her work was admired by many fine musicians of high standing. Her work encompassed recording for television scores and concertizing.

I am privileged to say she was a mentor and supporter of me as I began playing harp as an adult. For the observant, it was impossible to work with Yoshi without learning something- a way to approach a piece, a way to attack the work, a subtle phrasing.

Yoshiko recorded two CDs: PIANO SOLOS and LIFE

PIANO SOLOS is more concert focused, and she humbly and humorously called it a “work of her youth.” Works of incredible difficulty played at breakneck speed, displaying her tremendous technique.

LIFE, her second CD, she referred to as a work of her maturity. Still displaying her incredible gifts on masterworks, she also lends her talent to exquisite arrangements of well known hymns.

For more information on her CDs: http://www.yoshikoyerkes.com/

Our care and condolences to friends and family of this accomplished artist.

Kara Dahl Russell, Classical Music Host

JUST OPENED, Friday January 21, 2011

2011-01-21T12:27:00.000-08:00

Musician and Fulbright Scholar Kerry Turner said, “When the muse comes, it flows like a deep river. Nothing can stop it; not pseudo-intellectualism, or practicality, or technology, or pressure to conform to a certain style, nor the obligation to always find something new.” We started and ended JUST OPENED this week with the work of this fresh composer of works for brass. A Texas native, his work is infused with that wide open western sound and is reminiscent of the works of Aaron Copeland.

RICOCHET and other music by Kerry Turner
- MSR Classics #6 81585 10642 6
Played by American Horn Quartet, Saturday Brass Quintet, members of the Luxembourg Philharmonic, and pianist Monika Markajena. More information about Kerry Turner can be found at www.KerryTurner.com and www.HornQuartet.com .

BRUCKNER SYMPHONIE NR. 5
– BR Klassik #4 035719 001099
Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Bernard Haitink, cond.
Bruckner was the first to anchor counterpoint and compositions as subjects worthy of study at Vienna University in 1878. Symphonie #5 allowed him to develop and showcase the ideas he had been working on as a teacher, and is considered by many to be his finest work.

SCHUBERT PIANO DUETS
– Hyperion #0 34571 17665 9
Steven Osborne and Paul Lewis have a tour de force for 4 hands in the works of Schubert. It is assumed that in Schubert’s day, players would have taken the primo and secondo parts in turns, and this is how these works are performed by Osborne and Lewis. Written at the height of popularity for piano duos, these now rarely performed works are brought to fruition in the hands of Osborne and Lewis to display the power and poetry of Shubert.

BEETHOVEN
Symphony no 4 B flat minor, Symphony no 6 in F major (Pastoral)
– Channel Classics #7 23385 30710 5
Budapest Festival Orchestra, Ivan Fischer, cond.
In an especially creative process, Fischer explored the feelings evoked by these symphonies, and had the orchestra think outside the box to realize the music’s intent. The 4th, being about human feelings, with one of Beethoven’s most humorous finales, utilizes natural horns and trumpets. The 6th, being about the calmness and gratitude that nature arouses in us, was fulfilled here by creating new orchestral positioning, with winds interspersed amongst the strings, so that each soloist was surrounded by the flow of music in the – now literally- surrounding sections.

BACH FLUTE SONATAS (2 CD set)
– AVIE #8 22252 2196 3 Marina Piccinini, flute, with the Brazil Guitar Duo: Joao Luiz and Douglas Lora. In my personal favorite of this week’s JUST OPENED, Luiz and Lora take turns arranging what is normally the clavier/keyboard part for two guitars. This adaptation (by Luiz and Lora) breathes fresh air into the works while the flute part (a mainstay of serious flute literature) remains unchanged. Over the complex harmonious ground of two guitars, Piccinini’s flute playing is superb and in her hands the works receive technical mastery with heartfelt soul. Because of the universality & popularity of the guitar, I feel this set is a particularly friendly introduction to “serious” music for those to whom the harpsichord or the concert hall would be foreign and forbidding. Tell them its Brazilian jazz for guitar and flute!

I hope you enjoy these, and I’ll be with you

next Friday at 1PM on JUST OPENED.

Kara Dahl Russell

JUST OPENED - Friday Jan. 14th, 2011

2011-01-17T08:20:00.000-08:00

Thank you for joining me last Friday for my first “official” JUST OPENED! Bill Bukowski loved presenting these new works to you, and was a reliable and knowledgeable resource for years. I hope to maintain the high standards that Bill set, and to add some of my own perspective as a musician into the mix. The world of new releases is a mixture of music, talent, technical aspects, agents, packaging and high powered PR. I am tremendously excited about sharing these new works with you, and am grateful for the opportunity to open these fresh new releases and introduce them to you!

CLAREMONT TRIO: Beethoven and Ravel - TRIA # 1862 (84501 39628)

Trio in C Minor, Op. 1, No. 3 - Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827),
Piano, Violin, and Cello - Maurice Ravel (1875 - 1937)
Donna Kwong (piano), and the twin sisters Emily Bruskin (violin) and Julia Bruskin (cello) celebrate 10 years of playing together by recording the Ravel Trio that was the first piece they studied together. To my ear, this set of trios is notable for the prominence of the violin in the recording mix, which makes it a special joy for those who love violin. The two trios set each other off nicely, the Beethoven both powerful and ultimately playful, while the Ravel creates a sense of ethereal mystery.

XUEFEI YANG: RODRIGO - Concierto de Aranjuez
EMI Classics # 6-98361-2-1 (099969 836121)
Recorded in Barcelona with the Orquestra Simfonica de Barcelona i Nacional de Catalunya (OBC) conducted by Eiji Oue joining in the first two works: Concierto de Aranjuez - Rodrigo, and The Albeniz Concerto - Goss. Followed by two solo works for guitar: Espania (arr. Yang) - Albeniz, and Invocation Y Danza – Rodrigo (the work for which she first became recognized as a world class guitarist, at the age of 14). An excellent contrast of symphonic works and solo works which display Yang’s expressive range of dynamics, technical mastery, and affinity for the composer’s melodic charms.

JULIA FISCHER: PAGANINI 24 Caprices – Decca BOO14658 (28947 82274)
The complete Opus 1 Caprices - Paganini. Usually played one at a time for tour de force encores, often considered to be technical exercises to aspire to, but rarely master, Fischer plays the entire opus to display Paganini’s range (and her own). Paganini did not publish these until after his concert career was done, because he wanted to keep these private to assure his stature as the premier virtuoso violinist. A great study tool for a violinist, a tour de force for Fischer, and an amazement for the music lover!

MDR SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA; JUN MARKL, Cond. – Naxos 572294 (47313 22947)
The complete Lobgesang (Hymn of Praise) Symphony No. 2 – Mendelssohn. The MDR Radio Choir is joined by soloists Ruth Ziesak (soprano), Mojca Erdmann (soprano) and Christian Elsner (tenor). Often heard in portions, not often recorded in its entirety, this Cantata is of particular interest to fans of serious Christian compositions, as it was composed to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Guttenberg printing press, and uses text from the Lutheran Bible. A moving work of profound reverence.

HEIDELBERGER SINFONIKER; THOMAS FEY, Cond. – Hanssler Classics 98.619 (010276 023692)
The Paris Symphonies, Symphony #82 – 87 – Haydn. This 2 CD set contains six symphonies, including those known affectionately as “The Bear,” “The Hen,” and “The Queen” (symphony No. 85, which contains French dance tunes and is known to be the favorite of Marie Antoinette in her last days). This music has stood the test of time, and the recording (and presentation) is beautiful.

I hope you enjoy these, and I’ll be with you next Friday at 1PM on JUST OPENED. Kara Dahl Russell

New Program- January 10th

2011-01-07T17:17:00.000-08:00

Join every weeknight at 7PM for Exploring Music with Bill McGlaughlin. You know Bill McGlaughlin as the host of Saint Paul Sunday, also heard here on WSCL every Sunday morning at 10AM.

Just Opened, January 7, 2011

2011-01-07T11:10:00.000-08:00

Well, here we are in the beginning of the New Year, and what will be my last "Just Opened" as your host for Classical Music on Delmarva. Some splendid recordings this week, beginning with:

"J.S. Bach: Cantatas, Vol. 12: Tooting/Winchester" - Monteverdi Choir; English Baroque Soloists; John Eliot Gardiner. Last month, the last two volumes in the complete Bach Cantata Pilgrimage were released. Appropriately, one was a collection of Christmas Cantatas; the other was this one, featuring Cantatas for the twenty-second and twenty-third Sundays after Trinity (the two names in the title above refer to the churches where these particular performances were recorded.) This final volume contains what Gardiner calls the best of Bach's cantatas, and certainly the most beloved: the Cantata BWV 140, "Wachet auf" or "Sleeper's Awake." Other cantatas on this two-disc set are Nos. 55, 89, 115, 60, 139, 163, and 52. (Soli Deo Gloria 843183017126 / SDG 171)

"Shostakovich: The Preludes and Fugues" - Alexander Melnikov, piano. In 1950 Dmitri Shostakovich made a pilgrimage to Leipzig for the International Bach Competition, where he was particularly impressed with Tatiana Nikolaeva's performance of the complete Well-Tempered Clavier. Inspired, he wrote his own set of 24, loosely modeled on the pattern of Bach's, and dedicated it Nikolaeva. This new recording with Russian pianist Alexander Melnikov contains the complete preludes on two CDs, and a bonus DualDisc that contains a short film about the Preludes, and interviews with Melnikov and Andreas Staier. (harmonia mundi usa 794881942626 / HMC 902019.20)

"Italian Concertos" - Alison Balsom, trumpet; Scottish Ensemble. Following the success of her previous EMI release of Classical concertos by Haydn and Hummel, English trumpeter Alison Balsom presents popular baroque concertos by Vivaldi, Marcello, Cimarosa, Albinoni, and Tartini. All works were previously written for violin or oboe, and have been transcribed here for trumpet. (EMI Classics 5099945609428 / 56094-2)

"The Sky Shall Be Our Roof: Rare Songs from the Operas of Ralph Vaughan Williams" - Sarah Fox, soprano; Juliette Pochin, mezzo-soprano; Andrew Staples, tenor; Roderick Williams; baritone; Iain Burnside, piano. A subsidiary of the Ralph Vaughan Williams Society, Albion Records was formed to record and issue rare works by Vaughan Williams, and this is the first of an initial batch of 5 CDs. There are 19 songs (including 12 that are world premiere recordings) from three Vaughan Williams operas: Hugh the Drover, Sir John in Love, and The Pilgrim's Progress. (Albion Records 5060158190010 / ALB001)

"Beethoven: Piano Sonatas: Moonlight, Pathetique, Waldstein" - Steven Osborne, piano. Osborne has been playing the Beethoven sonatas in concert for years, but until now has not recorded any of them. This volume contains three of his favorites: the Moonlight, the Pathetique, and the Waldstein, and the miniature sonata Opus 79 in G Major. (Hyperion 034571176628 / CDA67662)

"Erich Wolfgang Korngold: Symphony in F-sharp; Much Ado About Nothing (Incidental Music)" - Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra; Marc Albrecht, conductor. Two celebrated works from the two ends of Korngold's career; the postwar Symphony in F-sharp from 1952 is not often played or recorded, so this new release is a welcome addition. From the pre-war and his pre-Hollywood period, the Much Ado About Nothing Suite. (PentaTone Classics 827949037368 / PTC 5186 373)

"Ellen Taafe Zwilich: Millenium Fantasy; Images; Peanuts Gallery" - Jeffrey Biegel, Read Gainsford, Heidi Louise Williams, piano; Florida State University Symphony Orchestra; Alexander Jimenez, conductor. Ever since she was featured in one of Charles Schultz' Peanuts cartoons, Ellen Taafe Zwilich (pronounced Ellen TAYF ZWILL-ick) wanted to return the favor; she did so in 1996 with Peanuts Gallery, a work for piano and orchestra that featured fantasias on Schroeder, Linus, Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Peppermint Patty and Marcie. And ever since I heard this charming piece on an episode of PBS' American Masters, I've been waiting for a recording. This new disc from Naxos also features Millenium Fantasy from 2000, and Images for two pianos from 1986. (Naxos 636943965627 / 8.559656)

Thanks this week to Naxos, harmonia mundi usa, and EMI Music for all the music on WSCL.

It has been my privilege, and unalloyed joy, to be your host for many episodes of "Just Opened," and for 17 years your emcee for Classical Music from Delmarva. This will be my last blog posting from here - watch this space in the future for postings from my colleagues Kara Dahl Russell and Christopher Ranck. And please, by all means, keep listening and keep supporting the station that brings you beautiful Classical Music everyday - WSCL 89.5 FM.

And thank you for listening!

Bill Bukowski

Just Opened December 31, 2010

2011-01-04T10:32:00.000-08:00

Last call for 2010:
"Beethoven: Symphony No. 9" - Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and Choir; Mariss Jansons, conductor. A live concert recording from the Bavarian Radio Symphony, captured at a gala concert at the Vatican for Pope Benedict XVI in 2007. (BR Klassik 4035719001082 / 90018)

"The Celtic Viol II" - Jordi Savall, treble & lyra viol; Andrew Lawrence-King, Irish harp & psaltery; Frank McGuire, bodhran. Volume II of Savall's fascinating exploration of Irish and Scottisch music, featuring airs and dances by O'Carolan, Nathanial Gow, C. Hunter, D.R. MacDonald, and more. (Alia Vox 7619986398785 / AVSA 9878)

"Bartok-Kodaly-Ligeti" - Gulbenkian Orchestra; Lawrence Foster, conductor. A splendid program of Hungarian Classical music from the Lisbon-based Gulbenkian Orchestra: Bartok's First Rhapsody for Violin and Orchestra and the Two Portraits; Kodaly's Dances from Galanta and the Hary Janos Suite; and the neo-baroque Concerto Romanesc by Gyorgy Ligeti. (PentaTone Classics 827949036064 / PTC 5186 360)

"Joan Sutherland: Romantic French Arias" - Joan Sutherland, soprano; Orchestra of the Suisse Romande; Richard Bonynge, conductor. This year marked the passing of one of the truly great voices of the 20th Century, the one they called "La Stupenda" - Joan Sutherland. We thought it only appropriate to honor her with this recent reissue of a recording made in 1970, part of Decca's "The Originals" series. (Decca 028947587439 / 475 8743)

"Reflections on Spain" - Louise Bessette, piano. Featuring Ernesto Lecuona's Andalucia Suite; excerpts from Paisajes by Federico Mompou; Danzas Gitanas by Joaquin Turina, and other works by Isaac Albeniz, Tomas Marco, and Jose Evangelista. (Analekta 77420499632 / AN 2 9963 3)

Thanks this week to Crossover Media, Universal Music Classical, Naxos, and harmonia mundi usa for new CDs Just Opened.

Bill

Just Opened December 17, 2010

2010-12-20T10:31:00.000-08:00

And the new Christmas CDs keep coming:

"A Cathedral Christmas" - Choirs of Corpus Christi Cathedral; Cathedral Handbell Choir & Festival Orchestra, Lee Gwozdz, organ and conductor. A collection of Carols, old and new, from Corpus Christi, Texas. (MSR Classics 681585134726 / MS 1347)

"Christmas at America's First Cathedral" - Baltimore Choral Arts Chorus and Orchestra; Tom Hall, conductor. America's first cathedral is located in Charm City - the Baltimore Basilica. This Christmas program, newly-recorded, features new works by African-American composers Rosephayne Powell and James Lee, III. Guest soloist is soprano Janice Chandler Eteme, who sang in three Christmas concerts this month with the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra. Release includes a bonus DVD. (Gothic 000334927721 / G-49277)

"Christmas with the Washington Chorus" - The Washington Chorus; The Whitman Choir; National Capital Brass and Percussion; Julian Wachner, conductor. Recorded live at a concert on December 23, 2009 at the Music Center at Strathmore, with one of the region's most popular choral ensembles. (Dorian Sono Luminus 053479211729 / DSL-92117)

"Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker" - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; David Maninov, conductor. The complete ballet score, recorded at Henry Wood Hall in London shortly before the conductor's death in 1995. Maninov worked with several ballet companies over the years, and was highly noted for his performances of the great Russian ballets. This two-disc set now available in the US from RPO records. (RPO 5030820044118 / RPO SP 006)

And one last Classical Music stocking-stuffer:

"Saint-Saens: Music for Wind Instruments" - Canada's National Arts Centre Wind Quintet; Stephane Lemelin, piano. Saint-Saens wrote a number of wind scores throughout his long life and career; collected here, the Caprice on Danish and Russian themes; Sonatas for Clarinet, Oboe, and Bassoon; a Romance in E Major, and the Tarantella arranged for flute, clarinet and piano. (Naxos 747313096473 / 8.570964)

Thanks to Naxos and MSR Classics for this week's recordings. No "Just Opened" this week - it's Christmas Eve, so instead join us at 10:00 AM for the live broadcast of the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King's College Cambridge, and Christmas music throughout the day on WSCL. Merry Christmas!

Bill

Just Opened December 10, 2010

2010-12-13T11:16:00.000-08:00

This week, more new Christmas CDs and two new piano recordings:

"Christmas from Oxford: Carols and Christmas Music from Worcester College, Oxford" - The Choir of Worcester College, Oxford; Christopher Sparkhall, conductor. One of many titles published by "Gift of Music," now distributed worldwide by Naxos. Each title is devoted to specific choral group, or theme. This release is one of the former, featuring various carols from the English boy choir choral tradition. More titles can be found here. (Gift of Music 658592102024 / CCL CDG 1020)

"Puer natus est: Tudor Music for Advent and Christmas" - Stile Antico. Release no. 5 from this young group of English choristers on the harmonia mundi label, centering on Thomas Tallis' seven-part Christmas Mass, based on the plainchant that gives the CD its name. Since the mass is incomplete (only the Gloria, Sanctus & Benedictus, and Agnus Dei are extant) the program is interspersed with motets by other Tudor composers: John Taverner's Audivi vocem; selections from William Byrd's Gradualia; Robert White's Magnificat; John Sheppard's Verbum caro, and Tallis' Videte miraculum. (harmonia mundi 093046751760 / 807517)

"J.S. Bach: Magnificat BWV 243; Unser mund sei voll lachens BWV 110" - Netherlands Bach Society; Jos van Veldhoven, conductor. Ever since their pioneering release, a lavish production of Bach's Christmas Oratorio, this Netherlands Bach group has not disappointed. Their new recording of the Magnificat is Bach's second version, which may have been performed with the parts interspersed with Christmas motets that would have been familiar with the members of Bach's church in Leipzig. This recording features works by Sweelinck, Verrijt, Schein, and Johann Michael Bach. The Christmas cantata (translated as "Let our mouths be filled with laughter") takes for it's opening chorale the theme from Bach's Orchestral Suite in D Major. (Channel Classics 723385320104 / CCS SA 32010)

"The Cherry Tree: Songs, Carols and Ballads for Christmas" - Anonymous 4. This vocal group decided to break up a few years ago; I'm really glad they changed their minds. This is their 18th CD with harmonia mundi, and their first original recording in 4 years. For the first time they mix the medieval European music that made their career with the New World hymns and songs that have occupied them recently. The hymns and ballads are from 15th Century England (plus some plainchant from 14th century Ireland) and the songs are from the American hymnal, with "The Cherry Tree" carol being the focal point for the program. As per usual, with excellent liner notes and full song texts. (harmonia mundi 093046745363 / 807453)

"Piano Masterworks by Chopin-Godowsky, Handel, Brahms and Debussy" - Ivan Ilic, piano. The second sampler disc from this French-born American pianist, who calls Paris home and records there for the Paratay label. This one features four Chopin etudes arranged for left hand alone by Leopold Godowsky; Handel's Suite No. 5 in E Major; Two Intermezzi, Op. 116 by Brahms, and four Preludes by Claude Debussy - La danse de Puck, La fille aux cheveux de lin, La serenade interrompue, and Ce qu'a vu le Vent d'Ouest. More information can be found on his website, www.IvanCDG.com.

"Ravel: The Piano Concertos; Miroirs" - Pierre-Laurent Aimard, piano; The Cleveland Orchestra; Pierre Boulez, conductor. The second of two new releases with Boulez and the Cleveland Orchestra features pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard, another of Boulez' frequent collaborators. The two piano concertos were captured live at Severance Hall in Cleveland, in what the pianist calls one "religious week" back in February. Well, the results sound divine. Includes the five-part Miroirs for solo piano. (Deutsche Grammophon 028947787709 / B0014764-02)

Thanks this week go to Universal Music Classics; Ivan Ilic, Naxos and harmonia mundi usa.

Bill

Just Opened: The Holiday Edition 2010

2010-12-06T10:50:00.000-08:00

"Keeping Christmas: Beloved Carols and the Christmas Story" - Gloria Dei Cantores; Elizabeth C. Patterson, conductor. Every year at Christmas this Massachusetts-based vocal group celebrates with a candlelit service of readings and carols, presented here on CD for the first time. Traditional and contemporary carols, interspersed with readings for the season from the Gospel of Matthew, as read by members of the Elements Theatre Company. (Gloria Dei Cantores 709887005022 / GDCD 050)

"Bryn Terfel: Carols & Christmas Songs" - Bryn Terfel, baritone; Cordydd; Nidus Children's Choir; Only Men Aloud; Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera; Tecwyn Evans, conductor. The Welsh baritone tucks into the joy of the Holiday seasons with a collection of favorites, newly-recorded. Includes a duet with Rolando Villazon (Ariel Ramirez' El Nasciemento); with Bing Crosby (!) on "White Christmas," and harpist Catrin Finch on some others. A special bonus disc features several songs from disc one, sung in Welsh, plus three Welsh carols, with soprano Gwarw Edwards, the vocal groups Cordydd and Only Men Aloud. (Deutsche Grammophon 028947787686 / B0014914-72)

"The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" - Mormon Tabernacle Choir; Orchestra at Temple Square; Mack Wilberg, conductor. An annual Holiday favorite is Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, each year with a different guest artist. This past Christmas it was singer Natalie Cole, who sings 6 of the 14 selections here. Available on both CD and DVD from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's own website - www.mormontabernaclechoir.org. (Mormon Tabernacle Choir 0783027018127 / SKU 5042001)

"Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker" - Berlin Philharmonic; Simon Rattle, conductor. This new recording of a Holiday classic comes in three new editions: the standard two-CD edition with links to video content on the web; the Experience/Deluxe Edition, which is a two-disc set with a limited-edition hardcover book detailing the history and context of the work, along with exclusive video material; and finally the "Discovery" Edition, which features excerpts from the work and the boys' choir Libera in "Waltz of the Snowflakes." (EMI Classics 5099964638522 / 6 46385 2)

"Joy in the Morning: Ex Cathedra at Christmas" - Ex Cathedra; Jeffrey Skidmore, conductor. Ex Cathedra's annual series of "Christmas Music by Candlelight" concerts is a hot ticket item in Birmingham, with three of eight performances out of town - all in churches lit only by candlelight, the songs and carols interspersed with readings. The carols recorded here are a mix of old and new. (Orchid Classics 5060189560080 / ORC 100008)

"Juan Diego Florez: Santo - Sacred Songs" - Juan Diego Florez, tenor; Orchestra and Chorus of the Community Theater of Bologna; Michele Mariotti, conductor. Florez' latest disc comes just in time for Christmas - his own selection of sacred songs and arias many appropriate to the season. Includes Panis Angelicus, O Holy Night, Schubert's Ave Maria, and Adeste Fidelis. Selections from Rossini's Petite Messe Solenelle and Misa di Gloria; from Haydn's Creation, Bellini's Mass in a minor, and Ariel Ramirez' Missa Criolla. "Comfort Ye/Every Valley" from Handel's Messiah, and Juan Diego's own composition, which gives the CD its title. (Decca 028947822547 / B0014875-02)

"Sing We Now of Christmas" - Taylor Festival Choir and Players; Robert Taylor, conductor. A fresh approach to Christmas favorites, reflecting this Charleston, South Carolina-based ensemble's approach to both classical and celtic music. In the liner notes, conductor Taylor credits inspiration from Vaughan Williams and Gustav Holst, Yo-Yo Ma and the Baltimore Consort, Ensemble Galilei, and his own father and the ensemble's founder, Bob Taylor. (MSR Classics 681585129227 / MS 1292)

We've quite a selection of new Christmas CDs this year - listen for more this Friday afternoon on the next "Just Opened." Thanks this week to MSR Classics, Paraclete Press, Universal Classics, Rebecca Davis PR, EMI Classics, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and Naxos. I'll be playing more from these discs on air in the days leading up to Christmas.

Bill

This just in: Mikhail Pletnev

2010-12-06T09:57:00.000-08:00

Charges have been dropped in the child molestation investigation of Russian conductor and pianist, Mikhail Pletnev. Read the story here.