When did American classical music begin? Sooner than you might think. Long before Aaron Copland — and even Charles Ives — composers were looking to create a national voice. George Frederick Bristow and William Henry Fry were two such pioneers. Fry was the first native-born American to compose symphonic works. His 1854 Niagra Symphony is […]
Bridge Records
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Schubert Sonatas come together for Anne-Marie McDermott
Sometimes it all comes together — the music, the artist, the venue, the recording. That’s what happens with this release. It features two of Schubert’s most popular and challenging piano sonatas: The Piano Sonata in D major, D.850, and the Piano Sonata in B-flat major, D.960. Both of Schubert’s sonatas are loose in form. At […]
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George Walker Piano Sonatas – Exceptional
George Walker’s music, in my opinion, isn’t performed as often as its quality merits. Apparently, Steven Beck thought so, too. He’s not only the performer on this release, he’s also the producer. And he fills both roles quite nicely. The album includes all five of Walker’s piano sonatas, spanning a half-century. The first sonata from […]
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Poul Ruders Dream Catcher – An Accordion Showpiece
In America, most people don’t consider the accordion a symphonic instrument. In northern Europe, though, it’s a different matter. Danish composer Poul Ruders isn’t the only classical musician to write for the instrument. He’s definitely one of the more talented, though. Sound and Simplicity is fairly new work, completed in 2018. Ruders subtitled it “Seven Pillars […]
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Paul Lansky Angles — great chamber music
This is volume 17 of Bridge’s Paul Lansky series. It presents four recent compositions by Lansky. And it’s an album I really like. The works vary in forces and show this composer at the top of his game. “Four’s Company” (2018) was composed for David Starobin’s guitar class. The work takes four very simple concepts […]
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Anne-Marie McDermott brings new insights to Mozart concertos
For volume four, Anne-Marie McDermott presents two contrasting Mozart piano concertos. And the contrast goes beyond just the concertos. The supplied cadenzas also represent two very different interpretations of Mozart’s music. The Piano Concerto No. 25 in C major, K. 503 is one of Mozart’s longest concertos. And many consider it one of his greatest. […]
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George Crumb Metamorphoses – exceptional in every way
The announcement of George Crumb’s death came from Bridge Records. It showed the intimate relationship the label — specifically David and Becky Starobin — had with the composer. This release is the twentieth volume of Crumb’s music released on Bridge. And most of it, like this recording, do so in collaboration with the composer. The […]
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Anne-Marie McDermott continues superb Mozart series
Anne-Marie McDermott has a very distinctive playing style, especially with Mozart. It’s delicate without being dainty. It’s expressive while neither being too emotive nor overly reserved. McDermott’s playing embodies what I like to think Mozart’s intentions were. But it’s playing that goes deeper than the notes. McDermott’s own personality makes these oh-so-familiar works sound fresh […]
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William Bland Piano Sonatas Anything But
From 1998 through 2014 William Bland quietly composed a massive body of work. It’s a cycle of piano sonatas, one of each major and minor key. The sonatas run about 20-30 minutes each, and each sonata has its own character. This release doubles the number of Bland’s sonatas to be recorded. Bridge Records previously released […]