Naxos Blog » Naxos Classical Music Spotlight

Podcast: William Schuman – Prayer in a Time of War

Raymond — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:00:41 +0000

When he graduated from high school, William Schuman enrolled in New York University with every intention of doing a commerce degree. Then his sister took him to a New York Philharmonic concert conducted by Arturo Toscanini. That very night, he decided to become a composer. Schuman went on to become one of the most important American composers and composition teachers of the 20th century. He was president of Julliard School, President of Lincoln Centre in New York, and the composer of eight major symphonies. This podcast looks at a new recording of his Symphony No. 6, Prayer in a Time of War, and New England Tryptich, with the Seattle Symphony conducted by Gerard Schwarz.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.559625

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About Raymond Bisha

Podcast: Bohuslav Martinu’s Piano Concertos

Raymond — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:00:47 +0000

Czech-born composer Bohuslav Martinu was born in a church tower in Policka, Bohemia in 1890. He became a student in the Prague Conservatory, and played with the Czech Philharmonic before moving to Paris to study composition. When World War Two broke out, he fled Europe and moved to the United States where he taught at the Mannes School of Music in New York. All the while, he composed incessantly – including the two piano concertos on this disc. Performers include pianist Robert Kolinsky, conductor Vladimir Ashkenazy, and Sinfonieorchester Basel.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Ondine ODE 1158-2

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Podcast: Le Voyage Dans La Lune

Raymond — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:10 +0000

Between 1902 and 1904, French film director Georges Melies made Le Voyage Dans La Lune, the world’s first science fiction film. In this CD + DVD project, composer/conductor Robert Ian Winstin has asked four different composers including himself, “Professor Louie Hurwitz, James Guymon and Don Myers to each write their own original soundtracks for this film. The result is four soundtracks that couldn’t be more different – and more effective.

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Catalogue No.: ERM Media Film

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Podcast: Don Giovanni … for string quartet

Raymond — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:00:44 +0000

Since the first performance of Mozart’s opera Don Giovanni, there has been a steady stream of arrangements of the piece. By the end of the 19th century, there were already more than 600 published arrangements. Some were note very good, but others, such as the music featured in this podcast, were excellent. On this CD, Quatour Franz Joseph performs an arrangement of Don Giovanni for string quartet, made sometime around 1800.

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Catalogue No.: ATMA ACD22559

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Podcast: Carlo Gesualdo, composer, murderer

Raymond — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:23 +0000

Carlo Gesualdo, Prince of Venosa, was one of the more colorful characters among Italian Renaissance composers. He wrote unusual and highly emotional music, and he was a murderer. This podcast looks at both his personal life (sometimes gruesome) as well as his music. Music by Gesualdo’s fellow composers Pomponio Nenna and Luzzasco Luzzaschi is also included. The featured artists in this podcast, and on the CD are Concerto Italiano conducted by Rinaldo Alessandrini.

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Catalogue No.: Naive OP30486

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Podcast: The Masses of Joseph Haydn

Raymond — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:44 +0000

Over the course of his 73 years, Franz Joseph Haydn wrote a huge amount of music, including more than a dozen Masses. This podcast looks at those masses, and a new recording by Trinity Church Choir, REBEL Baroque Orchestra, J.Owen Burdick and Jane Glover.

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Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.508009

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Podcast: David Aaron Carpenter plays Elgar and Schnittke

Raymond — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:00:41 +0000

With his CD of Elgar’s Cello Concerto, and Alfred Schnittke’s Viola Concerto, New York-based violist David Aaron Carpenter puts himself onstage as one of the leading violists of the new generation. His performance of Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto also makes a compelling case for performing the piece more often on viola. In this CD, Carpenter is accompanied by the Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by Christoph Eschenbach.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Ondine ODE 1153-2

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Podcast: Johan Svendsen’s Norwegian Rhapsodies

Raymond — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:01:47 +0000

Johan Svendsen was the one of the leading figures in Norwegian music during the romantic era, both as a composer and a conductor. This podcast introduces you to his Norwegian Rhapsodies, as well as the music he wrote for Romeo and Juliet, and his piece Zorahayda, based on the story Rose of Alhambra by the American author Washington Irving (who also wrote The Legend of Sleepy Hollow). The performers are the South Jutland Symphony Orchestra, and conductor Bjarte Engeset.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.570322

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Podcast: Michael Daugherty’s Metropolis Symphony

Raymond — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 16:00:14 +0000

The inspiration for Michael Daugherty’s Metropolis Symphony can be traced all the way back to his youth, as he watched on television as the caped superhero rescued humanity – as especially Lois Lane – from all kinds of deadly situations. Daugherty’s ability to allow the visual world to inspire the musical is evident in many of his works such as Deux Ex Machina, included on this CD, and Fire and Blood that was inspired by murals by Diego Rivera. The performers on this present CD include the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, pianist Terrence Wilson, and conductor Giancarlo Guerrero.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos American Classics 8.559635

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Podcast: Rautavaara’s 12 Concertos

Raymond — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:00:52 +0000

Einojuhani Rautavaara is Finland’s best known composer, especially internationally. Rautavaara’s music has been described as a mixture of modernism and mystic romanticism – an attempt to define a compositional style that is unique, personal, and very hard to define. Among his finest works are 12 concertos, composed over the past four decades, and collected together in this 4-CD box on the Ondine label. Performers include violinist Elmar Oliveira, cellist Marko Ylonen, harpist Marielle Nordmann, organ player Kari Jussila, clarinetist Richard Stoltzman, and pianists Ralf Gothoni and Vladimir Ashkenazy.

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Catalogue No.: Ondine ODE1156-2Q

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PODCAST: Richard Strauss’ Orchestral Suites

Raymond — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 18:00:27 +0000

Richard Strauss wrote some of the finest operas of the 20th century. Pieces like Elektra, Salome and Der Rosenkavalier helped push the limits of the operatic artform, and also established Strauss as one of the truly great composers for the media. In a few cases, he created orchestral suites from these stage works, and it’s this music that is featured in this podcast, including his suites for Der Rosenkavalier, Die Frau Ohne Shatten and Josephs-Legende. JoAnn Falletta conducts the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra in in this new Naxos CD.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.572041

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Podcast: Heinrich Biber’s Missa Salisburgensis

Raymond — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:00:08 +0000

Missa Salisburgensis is a mass Heinrich Ignaz von Biber wrote for 53 individual voices and instruments, composed to celebrate the 11-hundreth anniversary of the founding of the archdiocese of Salzburg. I was composed to be performed in the Salzburg Cathedral – 444 feet long, with a ceiling more than 100 feet high. For this piece, Biber placed the audience in the middle, with the musicians divided into 8 groups all around them. You might call it the original Surround Sound.

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Catalogue No.: NCA 60192

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Podcast: Wild Grass – the Music of Zhou Long and Chen Yi

Raymond — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:00:59 +0000

Zhou Long and Chen Yi studied together at the Beijing Conservatory of Music, and at Columbia University in New York. They are now both on the composition faculty at University of Missouri, Kansas City. This podcast looks at a new CD of their chamber music with the Beijing New Music Ensemble

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Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.570604

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Podcast: Ge Gan-ru’s String Quartets – Fu, Angel Suite & Fall of Baghdad

Raymond — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:00:50 +0000

Ge Gan-ru was the first avant garde composer in China, and now lives in the United States. In this podcast, he discusses his journey – from China to America, and from traditional Chinese music to being at the forefront of modern music while talking about the new recording of his String Quartets with ModernWorks.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.570603

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Podcast: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons Arranged for Solo Piano

Raymond — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:00:35 +0000

Many people, from Bach on, have turned their hand at arranging Vivaldi’s music.

This podcast looks at his Four Seasons and Mandolin and Lute Concertos arranged for solo piano by Jeffrey Biegel and Andrew Gentile.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.570031

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Podcast: Child Prodigy Erich Wolfgang Korngold [Extra]

Raymond — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:53:07 +0000

Erich Korngold was described as a genius at the age of 9, went on to become one of the finest young composers in Vienna, then had to leave Europe. He ended up in Hollywood, and became one of the finest film composers of his generation.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.570791

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Podcast: John Lynch Talks Millenium Canons [Extra]

Raymond — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 16:00:53 +0000

Millenium Canons, the new CD featuring the University of Georgia Wind Ensemble, features a wide range of contemporary American and British band music, including Millenium Canons by Kevin Puts.

In this podcast, conductor John Lynch talks about working with contemporary composers, and why he chose this music for his CD.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.572231

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Podcast: Rued’s Langgaard’s Visionary Music for Organ and for Orchestra

Raymond — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:00:59 +0000

Danish composer Rued Langgaard was mostly ignored, or shunned during his lifetime. It was only in the decades that people began to realize what an amazing composer he was. Langgaard wrote more than 430 pieces, including symphonies, choral works, an opera, and some incredible organ music, including Messis, the piece featured in this podcast.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Dacapo 6.220528-29

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Podcast: In This Hid Clearing – Interview with conductor Thomas J. O’Neal

Raymond — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:00:48 +0000

In This Hid Clearing, the latest CD with the University of Missouri Wind Ensemble features a huge range of music, including the first ever recordings of works by Gordon Jacob and Jack Stamp.

This podcast features an interview with Tom O’Neal, Director of Bands and conductor on this CD.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.572108

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Podcast: An American Romantic – Arthur Foote

Raymond — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:00:17 +0000

Arthur was one of America’s finest Romanic composers, and one of the first completely trained in the United States. His gorgeous melodies and lush orchestrations beg the question: Why isn’t the music performed much more often?

In this podcast, conductor Gerard Schwarz tries to answer that question.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.559365

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Podcast: Wild Nights! Exciting New Music for Wind Ensemble

Raymond — Mon, 25 May 2009 16:00:46 +0000

A podcast featuring the new University of Kansas Wind Ensemble CD, Wild Nights. This recording features five new band pieces, all written in the 21st century.

In this podcast conductor Scott Weiss talks about the music on this disc, and his ongoing commitment to creating new works for winds.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.572129

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Podcast: The World’s Largest Instrument – Bertolozzi’s ‘Bridge Music’

Raymond — Mon, 18 May 2009 16:00:56 +0000

When Joseph Bertolozzi decided to use the Mid-Hudson Bridge in New York as an instrument, he may just have created the world’s largest instrument… over 3,000 feet long.

This podcast features an interview with the composer plus some examples of what this remarkable piece sounds like.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Delos DE1045

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Podcast: Dark Side of the Moon – the Music of Klaus Ib Jørgensen (Extra)

Raymond — Mon, 11 May 2009 16:01:54 +0000

An interview with conductor Paul Hillier about a new CD of works by Danish composer Klaus Ib Jorgensen. Moon-Pain is a multi movement work that includes songs based on the poetry of Portugese poet Fernando Pessoa.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Dacapo 8.226505

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Podcast: Schütz’s Passion – an Interview with Paul Hillier

Raymond — Mon, 11 May 2009 16:00:18 +0000

Heinrich Schutz was one of the greatest German composers of the 17th century. His music inspired generations of composers who followed, including J.S. Bach.

In this podcast, conductor Paul Hillier talks about Schutz’ importance as a composer, and about his new recording of the Lukas Passion with Ars Nova Copenhagen.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Dacapo 8.226019

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Podcast: Towards the Flame – Scriabin’s Mystical Piano Music

Raymond — Thu, 07 May 2009 06:00:48 +0000

Xiayin Wang is establishing herself as one of the “must watch” pianists of the young generation. With a new CD of the music of Alexander Scriabin, and a recital at Alice Tully Hall in New York, there is plenty to pay attention to.

This podcast includes hightlights from her new CD, and an interview with Ms. Wang.

Note: Xiayin Wang personal web site and Facebook fan page.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.570412

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Podcast: Telemann, Fantasies for Solo Violin

Raymond — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 16:00:43 +0000

George Philip Telemann wrote his 12 Fantasias for Solo Violin with student and amateur violinists in mind… and the fact there were lots of them to sell the music to. Still, they are wonderful lively pieces, expecially in these performances by Augustin Hadelich.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.570563

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Podcast: An Interview with Composer Mark Grey

Raymond — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:00:12 +0000

Composer Mark Grey talks about his piece “Enemy Slayer: A Navajo Oratorio”. The development of this piece was a massive undertaking involving the Phoenix Symphony and chorus under the direction of Music Director Michael Christie, along with members of the Navajo community

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.559604

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Podcast: Daron Hagen’s Opera Shining Brow

Raymond — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:00:17 +0000

The 1993 opera Shining Brow is based on the life of architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

In this podcast, both composer Daron Hagen and librettist Paul Muldoon talk about how this opera was created.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.669020-21

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Podcast: An Interview with Conductor JoAnn Falletta

Raymond — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:00:42 +0000

Conductor JoAnn Falletta talks about her new CD with the Buffalo Philharmonic that features 2 “new” works by Schubert – a completion of his Symphony No. 8 (often called the Unfinished), and a transcription of his Death and the Maiden String Quartet for full orchestra.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.572051

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Podcast: An Interview with Robert Ian Winsten of ERM

Raymond — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:00:12 +0000

An interview with Robert Ian Winstin as he talks about his work as a composer, conductor, pianist, and as founder of the CD label ERM Media.

All of the music in this podcast comes from the CD Taliban Dances, which features Winstin in all four different roles.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: ERM ERM-5555

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Podcast: An Introduction to Karol Szymanowski

Raymond — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:00:13 +0000

Karol Szymanowski is one of many composers who should be better known and more often played than they are.

This podcast introduces the man, and three of his works for the theatre.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.570723

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Podcast: An interview with Jason Vieaux (Extra)

Raymond — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 16:10:10 +0000

Jason Vieaux is one of the busiest of all classical guitarists. He is also the Head of the Guitar Department at the Cleveland institute of Music.

In this podcast, he talks about the guitar, and about performing the music of J.S. Bach.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Azica ACD-71250

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Podcast: An Interview with John Corigliano

Raymond — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 16:00:42 +0000

An interview with Grammy-winning composer John Corigliano about his monumental piece for wind band, Circus Maximus. In this interview, the composer talks about writing this work, how he approaches composition, and why he especially enjoyed writing music for band.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.559601

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Podcast: Lincoln Portraits

Raymond — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 16:00:14 +0000

For generations Americans from all walks of life have been inspired by Abraham Lincoln. This includes generations of American composers who have written a long list of works dedicated to or inspired by the history and words of the 16th President of the United States.

This episode looks at eight Lincoln-inspired works by eight different American composers.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.559373-74

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Podcast: Passaggi Featuring The Hartt School Wind Ensemble

Raymond — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 16:00:05 +0000

A podcast featuring a new CD by The Hartt School Wind Ensemble under director Glen Adsit, along with soloists Ben Toth and Joe Alessi.

This CD features works by five contemporary American composers, including a work newly composed for this CD.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.572109

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Podcast: An Introduction to Vittorio Giannini

Raymond — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:00:57 +0000

Vittorio Giannini is best known to other composers as one of America’s most important composition teachers. Curiously, his own music has been largely forgotten.

This episode looks at the the music of Vittorio Giannini.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.559352

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Podcast: An Interview With Per Norgard

Raymond — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:00:03 +0000

An interview with Danish composer Per Norgard. In this podcast, he discusses the influences on him as a composer, and shares how he thinks about music while composing.

The music in this podcast comes from a new CD of his Symphony No. 3, and the world premiere recording of his Symphony NO. 7

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Dacapo 6.220547

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Podcast: An Interview With Susie Napper

Raymond — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 16:00:43 +0000

An interview with gamba player Susie Napper as she discusses her ongoing love affair with the viol da gamba.

The music in this podcast comes from a recording featuring Susie Napper and Margaret Little playing music by Sainte-Colombe for two viols.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: ATMA Classique ACD2 2278

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Podcast: An Interview With Jose Serebrier

Raymond — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 16:00:55 +0000

The fourth and final CD featuring Jose Serebrier and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra performing the transcriptions of conductor Leopold Stokowski. This CD includes the famous transcription of Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor, plus 16 other classical and baroque favourites.

The podcast includes an interview with Jose Serebrier who was a protege of Leopold Stokowski.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.572050

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Podcast: Introducing Bright Sheng

Raymond — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 16:00:47 +0000

Bright Sheng is equally a Chinese composer and an American composer. He was born in Shanghai, spent the Cultural Revolution years in a remote Chinese province, then studied in the United States, where he now teaches, and is one of the busiest composers.

His music defies easy labeling, but it’s wonderful sounds have been captivating audiences around the world.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.570601

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Podcast: Northern Winds with the Toronto Wind Orchestra

Raymond — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 16:00:56 +0000

An interview with Tony Gomes, Music Director of the Toronto Wind Orchestra as he talks about their new CD Northern Winds. Besides the ensemble, this recording features Wallace Halladay, solo saxophone, and Simon Docking.

The featured music includes works by Louis Applebaum, Michael Colgrass, Harry Freedman, Henry Kucharzyk, Gary Kulesha and Olivier Messiaen.

Note: the An interview with Per Norgard episode scheduled for this date will now be posted on February 17th.
Album details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.572248

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Podcast: Mozart’s Operas Arranged for Winds

Raymond — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 16:00:35 +0000

In 1782 the Emperor Jozef II formed a wind ensemble at his court – launching a golden age of wind ensemble music. During this time, it was very popular to arrange Mozart operas for wind ensemble.

This podcast looks a new CD of arrangements of The Magic Flute and La Clemenza di Tito, as played by the Saxonian Wind Academy.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.570027

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Podcast: The Theatre Music of Jean Sibelius

Raymond — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:00:03 +0000

The great Finnish composer Jean Sibelius is best known for his seven great symphonies. Lost in the shadow of these monunental works is some equally wonderful music he wrote for various theatre productions.

This podcast looks at this music, and a new recording by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra conducted by Pietari Inkinen.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.570763

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Podcast: Naxos New Year’s Podcast 2008

Raymond — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:00:32 +0000

A musical New Year’s podcast, with a Viennese twist.

In this podcast, Raymond Bisha looks at the long tradition of New Year’s concerts from Vienna, the conductors, the composers. Of course, in any discussion of Vienna and New Year’s, the music of Johann Strauss Jr. figures prominentaly.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.553281

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Podcast: Leopold Mozart’s Toy Symphony (and other delights)

Raymond — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 16:00:59 +0000

Leopold Mozart is best known as the father of his son, Wolftang Amadeus Mozart. Although he was completely overshadowed by his brilliant son, he was a fine composer in his own right.

This podcast looks at a new CD of his orchestral music, including the Toy Symphony.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.570499

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Review: Naxos Classical Music Spotlight

Vinko — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 03:23:15 +0000

Here is a review from Anne is a Man! by Anne Frid de Vries on Naxos Classical Music Spotlight podcast

Naxos Classical Music Spotlight Podcast is more than a promotional podcast… valuable listening to the podcast even if you are not considering a purchase…

… when Naxos interviewed the conductor Sir Charles Mackerras, I rushed in to listen. Even though Mackerras is in his eighties…

… the interview receives the quality of a history podcast with his personal witness of the communist coup…

Podcast: Leroy Anderson’s Christmas Music

Raymond — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:00:57 +0000

Leroy Anderson was one of America’s finest composers of what is now often called “light music”.

He as a master of the memorable melody and the catchy rhythm. Over the years, he composed or arranged many pieces for the holiday season, including Sleigh Ride and A Christmas Festival.

This podcast looks at a new recording of his holiday music, featuring the BBC Concert Orchestra and Leonard Slatkin.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.559621

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* enhanced version of the podcast contains chapter markers and cover art.

Podcast: Handel’s Israel in Egypt

Raymond — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:00:37 +0000

An introduction to Handel’s oratorio Israel in Egypt – less well known than the Messiah, but equally good.

It’s a piece full of great choruses, colourful orchestrations and memorable tunes. All music examples from from a new Naxos recording featuring the Aradia Ehsemble and soloists, conducted by Kevin Mallon.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.570966-67

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* enhanced version of the podcast contains chapter markers and cover art.

Podcast: An interview with Sir Charles Mackerras

Raymond — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:00:33 +0000

Sir Charles Mackerras is one of the leading conductors of our time. He is now 83, though he shows no sign of slowing down.

In this podcast he talks about studying the original scores of Mozart and Handel, about studying with Maestro Vaclav Talich in Prague right after the Second World War, and about the operas of Janacek and Strauss.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: CHAN 3157(2)

	Die Zauberflote (The Magic Flute) CHAN 3121(2)		Handel Julius Caesar CHAN 3072
	Janacek Makropolous Case CHAN 3138		Janacek Glagolitic Mass CHAN 9310
	Smetana Bartered Bride CHAN 3128(2)

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* enhanced version of the podcast contains chapter markers and cover art.

Podcast: An Interview with Dmitri Hvorostovsky

Raymond — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:00:35 +0000

A feature interview with the great Russian baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky as he talks about his CD Heroes and Villains, about singing Verdi, and about working with Amelia Haygood, founder of the Delos CD label.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: DE3365

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* enhanced version of the podcast contains chapter markers and cover art.