Maestro Jean-Luc Tingaud is renowned as an opera conductor. But he also knows his way around the French orchestral repertoire. His recordings of Poulenc, D’Indy, Dukas, and Bizet garnered critical acclaim. And his latest release of Cesar Franck orchestral works runs true to form. Perhaps it was the dramatic nature of this music that interested […]
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Bechara El-Khoury Piano Sonatas Effectively Blend Traditions
Increasingly, composers seem to be going their own way. These pioneers blend different music traditions and styles together. When it’s done well, a truly unique composer’s voice emerges. And that (in my opinion) is what happens with this collection of Bechara El-Khoury piano works. El-Khoury is best known for his orchestral works. In those, he […]
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New Blues & Soul News – 6/23/2020
New Blues & Soul News – 6/23/2020 New Blues: Brother Jefferson – Reflections (Blue Lotus): Based in St. Louis for some decades, Brother Jefferson creates most of his songs and that means somewhat laid back with a drawl and a taste of Chuck Berry. He also plays rhythm guitar just fine. Backing players are Brian […]
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New Jazz Adds – 6/23/2020
New Jazz Adds – 6/23/2020 Jesse Davis Quintet – Live At Smalls (SmallsLIVE): “Jesse Davis has a classic tone that will remind you of the best and beautiful days of bebop. With Live At Smalls you get a feeling of a classic jazz performance. This live performance from 2011 features great interaction between Davis (alto […]
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Anonima Frottolisti demonstrate Humanism in music
I first fell in love with early music through recordings of David Munro. In many ways, the Anonima Frottolisti reminds me of those recordings. The ensemble performs with enthusiasm and energy. The album is a survey of music heard in 15th Century Italy. The Humanist movement grew out of a rediscovery of ancient Greek writings […]
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#ClassicsaDay #ClassicalBubble Week 3
Last month, the Classics a Day team came up with a theme to reflect the reality of social distancing. The challenge was to share solo works for unusual instruments — the kind of instruments best played in social isolation. For June, the team is again going with the times. Social bubbles are small groups of […]
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Josef Holbrooke Symphonic Music Sails On
Josef Holbrooke wasn’t the only composer continuing the later Romantic traditions well into the 20th Century. But he was the only one I know of who scolded his audiences for not appreciating his talent. So it’s not surprising that Holbrooke’s music quickly fell into obscurity, even during his lifetime. Almost a century later, we have […]
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Canadian Landscapes – A program for saxophone and organ that delivers
“And the award for the most tightly-focused program for a classical recording goes to — ‘Canadian Landscapes.” If the Grammys ever offered such an award, this disc would win it. The release features not just music by Canadian composers but works by them for saxophone and organ. It’s a very unusual instrumental combination with a […]
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Watch this video: “Where does music go from here?”
Public health models suggest that live music will be one of the last things to return to “normal.” Where does music go from here? On Friday, June 12, WTJU hosted a panel of station alums who have spent years writing about music and booking music venues. Watch the video here: Panelists included: Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, […]