Paul Chihara composes for films. Film scores must support the narrative and communicate emotion. And it must do it in a way that instantly connects with the viewer. That skill set works well for Chihara in the classical world, too. His compositions have a transparency to them that draws the listener in. The surface may […]
Chamber music
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Clementi Piano Sonatas, Op. 25, 33 & 49 – more than mechanical
Mozart wrote, “Clementi is a good clavicembalist and with this, there is no more to say. He plays well with his right hand, his strong point is the passages in thirds. For the rest he has no sentiment or taste, – in a word he is simply a mechanicus.” I’m not sure I entirely agree […]
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More from the Stone Age of Early Music Performance
Back on June 26, 2017 I presented a Historic Radio Special on The Early Music Show, consisting of ‘early’ recordings of early music, beginning with the barely audible spectacle of a Handel oratorio captured on wax cylinders in 1888 to a formative solo disc of countertenor Alfred Deller singing a Thomas Morley tune, made around […]
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WTJU’s Jazz Marathon carries the torch for jazz & blues – Sept. 24-30
Listener favorites on WTJU come in many styles from a century of jazz recordings. This year’s WTJU Jazz Marathon promises an exploration of tremendous one-of-a-kind jazz recordings. Join WTJU this year’s Jazz Marathon, September 24-30 — our annual musical scavenger hunt for the lost and found favorites of jazz! DONATE TODAY! Special kick-off event: JOEL HARRISON Concert. On […]
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Interview: Three Notch’d Road Baroque Ensemble 2018-2019 Season
Three Notch’d Road Baroque Ensemble (TNR) announced its new season for 2018-2019. WTJU recently spoke to Fiona Hughes, violinist and music director of TNR, about the 2018 concerts. Listen to Fiona explain the programs and introduce visiting artists for these events. For more, visit tnrbaroque.org Part 1: Part 2:
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Rautavaara Works for Cello — Crystalline Masterworks
If you’re only familiar with Rautavaara’s orchestral works and love them as much as I do, you should listen to this release. With only one or two instruments to work with, the essence of Rautavaara’s music is laid bare. As the artists write in the liner notes, “Rautavaara’s music surprised us with how violently it […]
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Wenzel Heinrich Veit String Quartets, Vol. 2 – As Good As the First
When I reviewed Volume 1, I said I was very much looking forward to this release. I’m not disappointed. The Kertész String Quartet performs to the same high standard they established with the first volume. On the whole, this period-instrument quartet has the same warm, rich sound I enjoyed before. This time, though, I detected […]
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OperaEnsemble Excels with Louise Farrenc Wind Music
Louise Farrenc was one of the most prominent musicians in mid-19th Century Paris. She was a respected concert pianist and composer. She’s best remembered for her chamber music — and this release demonstrates why. The three works on this album were composed between 1852 and 1856. and they’re all finely crafted compositions. In general, Farrenc’s […]
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Quattro Mani Restructure Piano Duo Concept
The new release from the Quattro Mani is aptly titled “Re-Structures.” Steven Beck and Susan Grace restructure the concept of a piano duo, making it more of a keyboard duo. And that’s an important distinction. The program features works for two pianos as bookends. Paul Lanksy’s brisk and brief “Out of the Blue” opens the […]