tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61306318529402246602024-03-12T23:44:44.486-04:00WTJU Classical CommentsNews and views from the classical music announcers at WTJU, 91.1 FM, Charlottesville, VirginiaWTJU Classical Dept.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00582395998958161861noreply@blogger.comBlogger433125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130631852940224660.post-86838637250780102242014-12-16T09:30:00.000-05:002014-12-16T09:30:00.654-05:00The Vivace Christmas SpecialThis Friday, we'll broadcast the Vivace Christmas Show, a mixture of classical and Christmas music.
We start with the Czech Christmas Eve Mass by Jan Ryba, a P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }perennial favorite, followed by some piano music by Beethoven.
We'll devote the first part of the 7 o'clock hour to Suites 3 and 4 of The Many Moods of Christmas, the seminal 1963 work by Robert Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087250292070832651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130631852940224660.post-59840515950865613822014-12-15T20:56:00.003-05:002014-12-16T13:24:16.652-05:00Deborah Murray's finale on Classical Sunrise
This Sunday, please remember to tune in to Classical Sunrise, 6-9 am, here on WTJU-Charlottesville.
After 15 years, Deborah Murray is bowing out as host of the program, and this will be her last show.
Deborah has been an outstanding station volunteer, not only hosting a program, but also serving as Classical Department Director. She has overseen the classical programming on WTJU, and helped Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087250292070832651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130631852940224660.post-20039488554528918372014-11-05T12:41:00.000-05:002014-11-05T17:01:12.019-05:00The Berlin Wall falls - and a celebration of Dame Joan too!P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }
This Friday, Vivace begins with a delightful piano
quartet by Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia and a symphony by
Antonio Rosetti.
At 7:30 am, we'll do our part to mark
the 25th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, which occurs
next Sunday, including an excerpt from a rare recording of cellist Mstislav Rostropovich playing at the Berlin Wall
as it Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087250292070832651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130631852940224660.post-12010103771380251302014-11-03T12:15:00.000-05:002014-11-03T12:15:00.420-05:00Mercandante "I Briganti" anticipates Verdi
Saverio Mercandante: I BrigantiMaxim Mironov; Petya Ivanova; Vittorio Prato; Bruno Pratico; Camerata Bach Choir, Poznan; Virtuosi Brunensis; Antonio Fogliani, conductorNaxos
Saverio Mercandante has been characterized as the bridge between Rossini and Verdi -- and I Briganti demonstrates why. Completed in 1836, "I Briganti" was written partially in response to Bellini's "I Puritani."
This belRalph Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622226399243075353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130631852940224660.post-11505517534550423922014-11-01T10:28:00.000-04:002014-11-03T10:22:15.952-05:00Our New Classical Schedule
We're delighted to announce WTJU's new schedule for classical music. Most of your favorite shows remain unchanged, but we have a few new goodies for you.
Novitas has replaced The Listening Room as our Wednesday evening show devoted to 20th and 21st Century music. John Delehanty, who has a great deal of knowledge about modern music, will be bringing his expertise as he Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087250292070832651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130631852940224660.post-71076036760974207432014-10-28T19:06:00.000-04:002014-10-28T19:29:30.691-04:00October 31st: It's not just Halloween!This Friday, there are three special days in one and we'll celebrate them all on Vivace.
Of course, it's Halloween, and we'll enjoy the Symphonie Fantastique in the first hour. After that, we'll focus on the other two special days: All Saints' Eve and Reformation Day.
At about 7:15 am, we'll hear the beautiful Requiem Mass by Gabriel Faure, as we prepare to remember those who have goneAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087250292070832651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130631852940224660.post-48159071061126356342014-10-27T12:53:00.000-04:002014-10-27T12:53:00.622-04:00Paul Hindemith: Nobilissima Visione
Paul Hindemith: Nobilissima VisioneSeattle Symphony; Gerard Schwarz, conductorNaxos
The 1936 ballet "Nobilissima Visione" is the story of St. Francis. Hindemith crafted the music from folk songs, and combined them with the same rich spiritual language he used for his opera "Mathus der Maler" (completed just a year before). "Nobilissima Visione" paints each scene in vivid orchestral colors, andRalph Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622226399243075353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130631852940224660.post-72634731270157531872014-10-22T08:28:00.000-04:002014-10-22T08:28:30.119-04:00Your Friday Breakfast Buffet: Enchanting Music!
Nino Rota and Christoph Weyse
We have a superb buffet of Friday morning music for you on this week's Vivace.
We begin with music of Italian composer Nino Rota, his Symphony of Love Songs, followed by the delightful Morning Songs by Danish composer Christoph Weyse.
At 7 am, we'll hear one of those splendid rondos by Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia, as well as an enchanting harp Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087250292070832651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130631852940224660.post-52348251185900061822014-10-20T08:38:00.000-04:002014-10-20T08:38:00.664-04:00Norgard Symphonies Nordic Masterworks
Pers Norgard: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 8Vienna Philharmonic OrchestraSakari Oramo, conductorDacapo SACD
Sakari Oramo has paired Pers Nørgard's first symphony (1953) and his most recent symphony (2011) together, creating an interesting study in contrasts. To my ears, there's a certain Nordic quality to both works. Although the 8th is more dissonant and not as tonal in structure, neither work Ralph Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622226399243075353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130631852940224660.post-52705789047150627652014-10-15T09:00:00.000-04:002014-10-16T18:41:47.117-04:00A Morning of Marvelous Musical Treats!P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }
This Friday on
Vivace, we have some special musical treats for you.
We start gently
at 6 am with a Sonata for Flute and Piano by Danish composer
Friedrich Kuhlau and, for viola fans, a viola concerto by Carl
Stamitz. We will also salute British composer Herbert Howells on his 122nd birthday
- appropriately with his arrangement of Psalm 122.
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087250292070832651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130631852940224660.post-70681622975189659132014-10-13T12:05:00.000-04:002014-10-13T12:05:00.067-04:00The Tudors at Prayer
The Tudors at PrayerByrd, Tallis, White, Munday, TavenerMagnificat; Philip Cave, directorLynn
Though the theme is somewhat narrowly defined, (English sacred music 1560-1590), there's a surprising amount of variety in this program. Henry VII created the Anglican church, though it had very little change on the sacred music John Tavener and Thomas Tallis composed.
His daughter, Mary I, Ralph Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622226399243075353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130631852940224660.post-15634502786842275532014-10-08T15:59:00.001-04:002014-10-08T17:17:40.570-04:00Vivacious music and an interview with Jon Nakamatsu!This Friday, on Vivace, we'll feature a new recording of Alessandro Rolla's Basset Horn Concerto, a work I played back in April. This is a great recording and I know you'll enjoy it.
We celebrate the birthdays of pianist Evgeny Kissin and of composer Giuseppe Verdi.
Also, there's plenty of music for Mozart lovers!
At 8 o'clock, we have a short interview with pianist Jon Nakamatsu, whoAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087250292070832651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130631852940224660.post-45821419866100812492014-10-06T12:05:00.000-04:002014-10-06T12:05:00.521-04:00Lassus Musical Biography Maintains High Standards with Volume 3
Roland de Lassus: Musical Biography, Vol. 3Egidus Quartet and CollegePeter de Groot, directorMEW
You'll come for the music, but stay for the biography. The third volume of WEM's excellent series couples first-rate performances of Lassus' music with an in-depth biography that places that music in context.
This volume focuses on the year 1583, when Lassus' relationship with his sponsor, Ralph Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622226399243075353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130631852940224660.post-22691528625677798022014-09-29T12:05:00.000-04:002014-09-29T12:05:00.634-04:00Andrew Manze Leads Lars-Erik Larsson Revival
Lars-Erik Larsson: Symphony No. 2Orchestral Works, Vol. 1Helsingborgs SymfonionkesterAndrew Manze, conductorCPO SACD
Swedish composer Lars-Erik Larsson is not well-known outside of his native country, but this new series from CPO may change that. Larsson is part of the generation immediately following Sibelius, and follows him stylistically as well.
Larsson's works are decidedly neo-romantic,Ralph Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622226399243075353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130631852940224660.post-48681105582885201192014-09-22T15:41:00.000-04:002014-09-22T15:41:00.611-04:00George Crumb, Vol. 16 - Spanish and American Songbooks
George Crumb Edition, Vol. 16Voices from the Heartland; Sun and ShadowAnn Crumb, soprano; Marcantonio Barone, piano; Patrick Mason, baritone; Orchestra 2001; James Freeman, conductorBridge Records
Bridge Records' sixteenth(!) installment of George Crumb's compositions feature two works that are both similar and different. Sun and Shadow is another collection of songs based on the poetry of Ralph Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622226399243075353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130631852940224660.post-15698350311596098512014-09-17T12:21:00.000-04:002014-09-17T12:21:00.041-04:00George Perle Portrait in Eight Pieces
George Perle: Eight Pieces 1938-1997)Michael Brown, pianoBridge Records
Every composer should have a champion. For George Perle, that champion is pianist Michael Brown. As a teenaged virtuoso, Brown fell in love with Perle's music and had an opportunity to meet the composer. That developed into a close personal and professional relationship over the years, culminating in this release.
Brown Ralph Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622226399243075353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130631852940224660.post-67556959554609407892014-09-15T09:00:00.000-04:002014-09-15T09:00:01.078-04:00Poul Ruders, Vol. 9 - Amiable Chamber Music
Poul Ruders, Vol. 9David Starobin, guitar; Daniel Druckman, percussion; David Holzman, piano; Amalia Hall, violin; Hsin-Yun Huang, viola, Sara Rothenberg, pianoBridge Recrods
The two words that sprang to mind as I listened to this collection of Poul Ruder's chamber music was "amiable atonality." These chambers works move well beyond tonality, without a hint of academic dryness. Every work had Ralph Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622226399243075353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130631852940224660.post-20103937816451861792014-09-10T12:22:00.000-04:002014-09-10T12:22:00.173-04:00Lior Ronser: Awake and Dream
Awake and DreamWorks by Lior RosnerJanai Brugger; sopranoKatia Popov, violinThe Hollywood Studio SymphonySteven Vanhauwaert, pianoLior Rosner, conductor, piano
Lior Rosner is best known for his film and TV scores, which show the wide range of styles he's mastered. This collection of his classical works betrays some of that background -- the music is mostly tonal, and is more about conveying Ralph Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622226399243075353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130631852940224660.post-23344814923165933392014-09-08T12:05:00.000-04:002014-09-08T12:05:00.184-04:00Meyerbeer Overtures and Entr'actes -- Light Entertainment from Grand Opera
Meyerbeer: Overtures and Entr'actes from the French OperasNew Zealand symphony OrchestraDarrell Ang, conductorNaxos
When I mentioned I was reviewing this new Meyerbeer recording, I discovered just how low my colleagues held Meyerbeer's music. Robert Schumann didn't care much for it, but I think he -- and others -- miss the point. Giacomo Meyerbeer wasn't out to make pronouncements from God -- Ralph Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622226399243075353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130631852940224660.post-91758353075862819052014-09-01T12:05:00.000-04:002014-09-01T12:05:00.156-04:00Isserlis Energizes Martinu Cello Sonatas
Martinu: Cello Sonatas 1-3
Works by Sibelius and Mustonen
Steven Isserlis, cello
Olli Mostonen, piano
BIS SACD
Steven Isserlis turns in an attractive program of cello music with this new SACD. Bohuslav Martinu wrote in a very distinctive style; one that was remarkably consistent throughout his long and prolific career. Martinu wrote tonal works, but they were his own version of tonality. Ralph Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622226399243075353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130631852940224660.post-65487858274543649102014-08-25T08:00:00.000-04:002014-08-25T08:00:00.022-04:00Mariann Shirinyan Takes Over Mozart Series
Mozart: Piano Concertos Volume 4Concertos Nos. 12 and 23Marianna Shirinyan, pianoOdense Symphony OrchestraScott Yoo, conductorBridge Records
Although this is the fourth volume of Bridge Records' survey of the Mozart piano concertos, it's actually the first to feature pianist Mariann Shirinyan. She replaces the previous soloist (who has since left the label) to continue the series with Scott Ralph Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622226399243075353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130631852940224660.post-72766848583447889252014-08-18T09:05:00.000-04:002014-08-18T09:05:00.091-04:00Gilbert Kalish Performs Old Favorites
Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert
Gilbert Kalish, piano
Bridge Records
In this recording, Gilbert Kalish presents an appealing program of works he knows well. The opening and closing works are the final piano sonatas of their respective composers -- Haydn and Schubert, with a selection of short works by Beethoven in the middle.
Haydn's Sonata No. 62 in E-flat (Hob.XVI:52) was composed for a Ralph Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622226399243075353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130631852940224660.post-56989229095391937282014-08-12T12:30:00.000-04:002014-08-12T12:30:00.859-04:00Early Vaughan Williams Chamber Works
Vaughan Williams: Piano Quintet; Quintet in D major; Six Studies in English folk Song; Romance for Viola and PianoLondon Soloists EnsembleNaxos
Ralph Vaughan Williams withdrew many of the works he wrote before 1907. Based on this release, he was too modest. In this collection of early chamber music performed by the London Soloists Ensemble, one can tell RVW's compositional voice isn't fully Ralph Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622226399243075353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130631852940224660.post-37976332548742170752014-08-11T12:05:00.000-04:002014-08-11T12:05:00.385-04:00Quiet contemplation on loss and war
Weinberg: Symphony No. 18; Trumpet ConcertoAndrew Balio, trumpetSt. Petersburg Chamber ChoirSt. Petersburg State Symphony OrchestraVladimir Lande, conductorNaxos
Mieczyslaw Weinberg's 18th symphony is the final part of a symphonic trilogy, "On the Threshold of War." Symphony No. 18, subtitled "War -- there is no word more cruel" isn't so much an anti-war statement as it is an honest portrayal Ralph Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622226399243075353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130631852940224660.post-28546521407050198432014-08-06T09:45:00.000-04:002014-08-06T09:45:38.568-04:00This week's Vivace: Melody and Enchantment
One of the least-known 19th Century British composers must be Sir Frederic Hymen Cowen (right), who was born Hyman Cohen in Kingston, Jamaica. We'll hear a symphony by him during the first hour of Vivace this Friday.
At 7 am, we have a delightful trio for guitar by Francois de Fossa, whose music was heard recently on Melodiya. At 7:30, we have a Violin Sonata by Franz Xaver Mozart Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087250292070832651noreply@blogger.com0