If you get this release, be sure to read the liner notes. They explain the origin of the bassoon from the Rennaissance curtal. These two double-reed low-register instruments existed side-by-side for almost a century. Only in the 1700’s did the bassoon finally supplanted the curtal completely. And that’s the era featured in this recording. This […]
CD Review
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Benjamin Carr Piano Music – American Through and Through
It’s easy to forget that American classical music didn’t begin in the mid-20th Century. Europeans brought their musical traditions with them to the new continent. After the American Revolution, some composers worked to develop a new style of music for their new nation. Benjamin Carr was one such pioneer. Carr was born in London and […]
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Jan Paderewski’s “Polonia” Receives a Proper Performance
Is it possible to tell the history of a country in music? Jan Paderewski thought so. He loved his native Poland — so much so he eventually became its prime minister. But before that, he composed his massive Symphony in B minor, “Polonia.” The work commemorates the 40th Anniversary of the January Uprising. In 1863 […]
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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 […]
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Telemann “Musicalisches Lob Gottes” leavened with Viol Fantasies
For this release, Simone Eckert takes a stripped-down approach to Telemann. Granted, Telemann’s sacred music sounds glorious with a large chorus and supporting orchestra. But the reality was different. Most German courts had modest resources, with only a few singers and a handful of instruments. The cantatas recorded here could all be considered chamber works […]
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Alban Beikircher excites with Wolf-Ferrari Violin Concerto
Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari is best remembered for his comic operas. But he was also a talented instrumental composer. And he used his melodic gifts quite effectively. This release features one of his instrumental “hits” and two more that should be. In the early 20th Century, Wolf-Ferrari was known for his comic operas, such as “Il segreto […]
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Pancho Vladigerov Orchestral Songs deserve better
This installment of Capriccio reissues presents orchestral songs by Pancho Vladigerov. Vladigerov has become the leading figure in Bulgarian classical music. He blended classical forms and techniques with Bulgarian folk music. And in the process, created some truly exciting music. Although I’ve enjoyed the other volumes immensely, I felt a little let down with this […]
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Peter Cigleris performs Ruth Gipps chamber works
This release features a well-balanced program of clarinet chamber works by Ruth Gipps. It includes a solo work, some pieces for clarinet and piano, a clarinet quintet, and a major work for clarinet, oboe, and string quartet. If you’re not familiar with Ruth Gipps, here’s a brief introduction. She was a child prodigy, composing and […]
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Engaging performances of Barbara Strozzi by Aurata Fonte
Barbara Strozzi (1619-1677) was a remarkable woman. This talented Venetian was a renowned singer and composer. She hosted gatherings in her father’s house for the city’s intellectuals and artists. This was her venue for performing. But she’s known today for something else — her music. Strozzi published eight collections of vocal music between 1644 and […]