Exciting & Inexpensive Live Performances This Week

This is it. You’re packing up your dorm room, storing your notes for further study (or shredding them, depending on how your academic semester went), and saying goodbye to friends for the summer. Maybe you’re graduating, excited to take it easy for the summer or to do just the opposite – jet set.

Before you take off, we recommend you attend any of these awesome live performances in and around DC. From the Millenium Stage to the 9:30 Club to the Bach Sinfonia – there’s something for everyone!

Nuevo Mundo Barocco! (New Baroque), presented by the Bach Sinfonia

Sunday May 5 at 3pm

Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center at Silver Spring

7995 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring MD 20910 (Directions here)

* Metro accessible via Red Line to Silver Spring! *

“Latin flair meets Baroque majesty on Cinco de Mayo! Over the past three decades researches have uncovered a treasure trove of music in the Cathedral cities and missions of Mexico and South America. Both Jesuit missionaries from the old world Europe as well as native composers produced radiant music for liturgical services and civic occasions. A chance to hear some great 17th and 18th century music of the ‘Other Americas’.”

Jennifer Ellis Kampani, soprano

Richard Savino, baroque guitar

Daniel Abraham, artistic director

Tickets only $15 for students and can be ordered online or can be purchased at the venue

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Millenium Stage Performances at the Kennedy Center

FREE Performances every day, no ticket required!

All performances are at 6pm

Upcoming Performances include The Old Bay Ceili Band (Tuesday May 7) and a showcase from the Levine School of Music (Wednesday May 8)

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Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra at Bohemian Caverns

Monday May 6,  8:00-11:00pm

2001 11th St. NW

* A necessary DC experience! * $10 cover

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Bela Fleck and the Marcus Roberts Trio

Friday May 10 at 8:00 pm

The Music Center at Strathmore

5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda MD 20852

Tickets $28 and Up

From Strathmore: “Béla Fleck has been nominated in more Grammy categories than anyone in history, and has taken home 14 of the statuettes, wandering gleefully across genres and bringing together eclectic and utterly amazing groups of musicians. This season, Strathmore favorite Fleck brings a brilliant collaboration with one of today’s most lauded jazz ensembles, with Marcus Roberts on piano, Jason Marsalis on drums and Rodney Jordan on bass. “There was an improvisational, what’s going-to-happen-next feeling to the entire show. After a stunning rendition of ‘Lullaby of Birdland,’ Fleck picked up a microphone: ‘I’ve never been terrified in such a friendly way before.’” (Savannah Unplugged).”

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The Bethesda Fine Arts Festival 2013

Saturday May 11 – Sunday May 12, 10am-6pm

* Located at Woodmont Triangle, less than 6 blocks from Bethesda Metro Station *

It’s not necessarily a musical performance but outdoor craft markets are wonderful!

New Stuff!

CDs

Daniel Dorff ~ Perennials ~ CD 10174

Laura Elise Schwendinger ~ 3 Works for Solo Instruments and Orchestra ~ CD 10175

Robyn Schulkowsky ~ Armadillo ~ CD 10176

Laura Kaminsky ~ CD 10177

Romberg ~ Blossom Time ~ CD 10178

Martin Perry ~ Bartok, Rosa and Carter ~ CD 10179

Scores

Scriabin ~ Piano Works II ~ M22 .S55 P5 1967 v.2

Okudzhava ~ 65 Songs ~ M1757.18 .O4 F8 1982

Pintscher ~ Reflections of Narcissus ~ M1016 .P56 R44 2005

Brahms ~ Nänie ~ M1533 .B73 N36 1970

Verdi ~ Quattro Pezzi Sacri ~ M2027 .V4 P4 2001

Schumann ~ Abegg – Variationen ~ M27 .S34 op. 1 2004

Chopin ~ Andante Spianato und Grande Polonaise Brillante ~ M37 .C549 A5 1998

Isaak Osipovich Dunaevskii ~ Shkol’nyi val’s ~ M1621 .D86 S45 1952

Robert’s Stäff Picks!!!

Don’t forget, the Music Library is having an LP Bag Sale this Friday, April 26 from 10AM-2PM in front of Bender Library!!!

This set of Staff Picks is dedicated to currently performing string quartets and new music ensembles/composers.

CD 5290 — Six Quartets, Op. 20 — Haydn

The quartets are pretty standard Haydn works but the cool part about this CD is that this recording is played by the Daedalus Quartet.  The Daedalus Quartet is considered a leader among the newest generation of string ensembles.  The members of this string quartet hold degrees from the Julliard School, Curtis Institute, Cleveland Institute, and Harvard University.  Min-Young Kim and Matilda Kaul play violin, Jessica Thompson plays the viola, and Thomas Kraines plays the ‘cello.  This CD was released in 2009.

CD 10048 — Meanwhile — eighth blackbird

eighth blackbird “combines the finesse of a string quartet, the energy of a rock band and the audacity of a storefront theater company.” The members of the ensemble  “hail from America’s Great Lakes, Keystone, Golden and Bay States, and Australia’s Sunshine State.  There are four foodies, three beer snobs and one exercise junkie.”  It seems like it would be fun to hang with these folks. Tim Munro plays the flutes, Michael J. Maccaferri the clarinets, Yvonne Lam the violin & viola, Nicholas Photinos the ‘cello, Matthew Dunvall percussion, and Lisa Kaplan the piano.  This CD was released in 2012.

John Adams

I often reference works by John Adams in my Staff Picks, and I honestly don’t think I could ever forget to mention him.  Adams is a North American based new music composer.  Once again, the symphonic version of my favorite opera, CD 9695 — Doctor Atomic / Guide to Strange Places.  This CD was released in 2009.

CD 10053 - Adam’s Lament — Arvo Pärt

Do you like Arvo Pärt as much as Ethan Hicks? I doubt it, but you should still take a listen to this fantastic Pärt CD that explores many of his works including, but not limited to: Adam’s Lament, Beaatus Petronius, Salve Regina, and Estonian lullaby.  This CD was released in 2012.

 

Staff Picks:

It’s been over a year since we started writing up staff picks and with over a hundred CDs have been recommended. Therefore, one might think that we would be running out of recommendations.

Not so!

For my sixth staff picks post, I have a nice collection of awesome CDs including one of my favorite recordings

of…

all…

time…

Let’s get started then!

Arvo Pärt: Tabula Rasa

CD 5948

I first took out this CD two years ago on a whim. The name was really cool, and I had heard good things about this “Arvo Pärt” person. I then promptly forgot about it. A week later I drove up to Massachusetts overnight (to avoid the traffic from a few major cities) and discovered it on the seat next to me. It was something about the desolation of Interstate 84 in Connecticut at 4 a.m. mixed with the distant lamentations of the CD that stays with me to this day.  I can’t really describe it any other way, this is one of my favorite recordings.

Arvo Pärt: Te Deum

CD 5901

There is not much I can say about this CD other than that it is worth listening to.

Seriously…

Do it…

Kronos Quartet: Uniko

CD 5887

I don’t think there is ground left to tread that the Kronos Quartet has not already stomped all over. Anyway, get ready for this; Kronos Quartet collaborates with Finnish composers Samuli Kosminen and Kimmo Pohjonen to create a studio album that blends a string quartet with electronics and accordion. Yeah, I thought so too…

Kronos Quartet Performs Philip Glass

CD 6835

Now who doesnt love some arpeggiated triads?

Copland Conducts Copland

CD 3412

This CD is worth picking up for Lincoln Portrait alone. It’s perhaps one of the most famous recordings of the work and features Henry Fonda as the narrator. However, you also throw in Billy the Kid and the original Appalachian Spring ballet edition…

and Copland conducting????

Yes.

More New Stuff!

These scores have just arrived from the bindery!

Brahms  -  Quintet and Quartets for Piano and Strings  -  M178.B73 G35 1985

Schubert  -  Lieder, Volume II for High Voice  -  M1620.S38 L54 1974 v.2

Tchaikovsky  -  Eugene Onegin (full score)  -  M1500.T34 E94 1997

Also, some new CDs and a DVD for your use:

Ruckblick Moderne: 20th Century Orchestral Music  -  CD10064

Michael Daugherty/Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra: Route 66, Ghost Ranch, Sunset Strip, Time Machine  -  CD 10065

Mahler: Autopsy of a Genius  -  DVD 352

Cene’s Spring Break picks

While AU students are relaxing at the beach, we’re still hard at work at the Music Library. This week’s picks  have a little of everything from west coast jazz, to west Texas swing, to Japanese pop.

Anita O’Day - Sings for Oscar/Pick Yourself Up (CD 10012)

We recently picked up a couple Anita O’Day CDs (as well as the acclaimed documentary Anita O’Day: The Life of a Jazz Singer (Music Library DVD 331)) filling a glaring hole in our vocal jazz selection. This particular disc combines two fantastic 1957 releases. The tremendous session with Oscar Peterson’s group – featuring Herb Ellis on guitar, Ray Brown on bass, and John Poole on drums – is the highlight, but the other sessions are no small shakes; the larger ensembles feature such heavy hitters as Stan Getz, Bud Shank, Barney Kessel, Jimmy Guiffre, and Shelly Manne among others. Anita is at the very peak of her vocal powers, proving that she can hold her own with anyone in the pantheon of jazz singers.

Bob Wills & his Texas Playboys - San Antonio Rose (CD 3264)

Bear Family Records out of Germany isn’t known for doing things half way, and this massive 11-CD plus DVD box set is no exception. Containing everything Bob Wills recorded from 1932-1947, including alternate takes, air checks,  and studio chatter, and an exhaustively thorough 180+ page book, this set is not for the faint of heart. Those willing to wade in will be surprised by the remarkably consistent quality of Wills’ tunes and bands over this time period, leaving little doubt as to the appropriateness of his title “the King of Western Swing.” His bands were forward-thinking and modern, combining big band jazz with popular country and old time fiddle music, and redefining what a country dance band could be by introducing horns, reeds, and drums. The included DVD of Take Me Back to Oklahoma, however, can be safely missed.

Georges Auric - La Belle et la Bête (Complete Film Score, 1946) (CD 10070 or streaming from Naxos Music Library)

Jean Cocteau‘s 1946 film version of the Beauty and the Beast story, besides providing Disney with the source material for their animated version, was notable for its lush, dreamy atmosphere, elaborate camera work, and deliberate, poetic pacing. George Auric‘s score is the perfect complement to the film’s rich visual style, and stands on its own as a wonderful example of 20th century impressionism.

V/A - The Great 1955 Shrine Concert (CD 3250 or streaming from American Song)

One of the best live gospel recordings of the pre-multitrack era, this disc captures several golden-age groups at the peak of their powers, and in an electric atmosphere that is closer to their natural environment than any recording studio. The most recognizable group on the bill for gospel novices is the Soul Stirrers, still featuring a young Sam Cooke. In the live setting they really stretch out; two of the group’s three tracks clock in at about eight minutes. Dorothy Love Coates’ Gospel Harmonettes turn in a 19 minute medley of hits, while the Pilgrim Travelers and the Caravans both turn in impassioned performances.

Yellow Magic Orchestra - BGM (CD 9351)

Japan’s Yellow Magic Orchestra spanned a variety of styles over the course of their career together, from pure pop and crossover electronic disco to experimental, semi-ambient electro-world beat (if such a genre actually exists). Their fourth album, BGM, occupies a place somewhere in between. The songs are less concerned with the dancefloor, and present a more mature, sometimes almost sleepy sound, while remaining catchy and memorable.  The tunes “Cue” and Ryuichi Sakamoto’s “1000 Knives” are the standouts.

A Mixed Bag of New Scores!

~~~~~Something for everyone! ~~~~~

Martin Bresnick  -  Going Home (Vysoke, My Jerusalem) for Oboe, Violin, Viola and Violoncello  -  M462.B74 G65 2012

Martin Bresnick  -  Prayers Remain Forever for cello and piano  -  M233.B74 P73 2012

The Spirituals of Harry T. Burleigh for high voice  -  M1670.B87 S65 2000

Michael Daugherty  -  Deus ex Machina for piano and orchestra (2007)  -  M1010.D38 D48 2012

Michael Daugherty  -  I Loved Lucy (Yo Amaba Lucy) for flute and classical guitar  -  M297.D38 Y6 2012

Michael Daugherty  -  Route 66 for orchestra (1999)  -  M1045.D38 R68 2011

Philip Glass  -  Sonata for Violin and Piano in 3 Movements  -  M219.G53 S66 2008

Osvaldo Golijov  -  How Slow the Wind for Soprano and String Quartet  -  M1613.3 .G65 H69 2011

Jake Heggie  -  Orcas Island Ferry: Suite for Violin/Viola and Piano  -  M220.H44 O73 2012

Jacques Hetu  -  Quatuor A Cordes (String Quartet) no. 1, opus 19  -  M452.H58 op. 19 2012

Katherine Hoove  -  Ayres based on songs by John Dowland for soprano saxophone and piano  -  M269.H66 A97 2011

James MacMillan  -  Sun-Dogs for mixed choir a cappella  -  M1582.M33 S86 2011

Telemann  -  Sonata in F Major for flute and piano  -  M242.T44 S66 1974

Telemann/Wummer  -  Suite in A Minor transcribed for flute and piano  -  M244.T45 O94 1979

Robert’s Staff Picks

CD 3538 -  At Folsom Prison – Johnny Cash

In honor of Johnny Cash’s birthday (2/26), I’m picking one a Johnny Cash CD from the Music Library’s collection.  Here’s the transcription of part of Cash’s handwritten notes about “Folsom Prison Blues” that can be found in the liner notes:”The culture of a thousand years is shattered with the clanging of the cell door behind you.  Life outside, behind you immediately becomes unreal.  You begin to not care that it exists.  All you have with you in the cell is your bare animal instincts.”

CD 10051 – True Bluegrass Banjo

Bluegrass music exploded with a bang in the mid 1940s, and the instrument most responsible for the growing popularity of the music was the 5-string banjo as played by the masterful Earl Scruggs.  Scruggs inspired literally thousands of musicians to learn a new way of picking the banjo, and many of these artists went on to inspire countless others with this fascinating new style.  This is a CD that the Music Library recently acquired. I’m obsessed with it.  If you hear banjo music in Katzen–Wednesday mornings from 9:00-11:30–don’t be alarmed…I’m just jamming in the Music Library.

CD 9834 – Harmonium The Klinghoffer Choruses – John Adams

This CD is a great introduction to contemporary opera.  John Adams is also the composer of my favorite contemporary opera–Dr. Atomic.  The Death of Klinghoffer tells the story of the 1984 hijacking of the Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro by four Palestinian commandos and the subsequent killing of Leon Klinghoffer, a Jewish American passenger, whose body was thrown overboard in the wheelchair to which he had been confined.  Sounds like a pretty interesting opera to me.

CD 6753 – Ruffo

Ruffo Titta, (he reversed his names for the stage) was born in Pisa.  Coming from a large and poor family, Ruffo had an unhappy childhood and received no education.  From an early age he assisted his father as a blacksmith, but because of continued friction between them, Ruffo left home.  By the age of eighteen he had discovered his fine baritone voice and was admitted to the Santa Cecilia in Rome, becoming a pupil of the celebrated teacher, Persichini.  He’s a very interesting musician.

CD 6771 – Legendary Tenors & CD 6772 – Legendary Baritones

These two CDs are fantastic if you want to listen to the progression of styles of singing.  If you’re a baritone looking for new repertoire, I recommend listening to “Legendary Baritones.”  If you’re a tenor looking for new repertoire, I recommend you listen to “Legendary Tenors.”  Both CDs can be very informative.

Medici.tv – Virtual Classical Concert Hall

If you haven’t had a chance to check out Medici TV, you should take some time out of your busy schedule and go watch an opera…or a symphonic concert.

 

 

 

Wowza – New CDs!

The East meets the West in our newest batch of CDs. And who knew that the clarinet would be the binding force?

Come check ‘em out.

Rainbow: Music of Central Asia vol. 8/Kronos Quartet with Alim & Fargana Qasimov and Homayun Sakhi * CD 10058

This wonderful collaboration is part of a ten part series produced by Smithsonian Folkways Records titled “Music of Central Asia”. The Grammy-nominated series is another in a long line of remarkable projects from Folkways. Come check it out and then go online and download the free program notes!

East Meets West: Clarinet Music by Chinese Composers * CD 10059

Surrealistic Soundscapes/Man Ching and Donald Yu * CD 10062

Revelry/Lowell Liebermann * CD 10061

A Musical Celebration: New Works for Clarinet Viola and Piano * CD 10060

Cold Fact/Sixto Rodriguez * CD 9974

Coming from Realitiy/Sixto Rodriguez * CD 9971

Cene’s Staff Picks

  Austin Peralta – Endless Planets (CD 10056)

The final album from the young jazz pianist – released about a year and a half before his untimely death last fall – is both a melancholy marker of what could have been and a rousing, modern jazz  album, brilliant in parts, and never less than interesting. Peralta wrote all the tunes on the album, and, while he is the leader of the group, his collaborators have lots of opportunity to stretch out, particularly the talented alto player, Zane Musa. It’s not a perfect album, but there aren’t many better jazz albums by 20-year olds in the history of the art.

Morton Subotnick – Silver Apples of the Moon/The Wild Bull (CD 10011)

My man, Morton. “Silver Apples of the Moon” and “the Wild Bull” are both classics of early(ish) electronic composition. While it’s hard to describe either of them as easy to listen to, both are surprisingly engaging, and reward repeat hearings. The synthesized bloops and rapid-fire tape effects take on a structure that’s not necessarily evident on first listening, and after a few times through, you start looking forward to your favorite parts.

Kashmere Stage Band – Texas Thunder Soul 1968-1974 (CD 10047)

The Kashmere Stage Band was a high school (seriously!) band out of Houston, that happened to put out some of the funkiest large-group recordings of the era. This release has one disc of the official release versions, a disc of alternate takes and live recordings, and a DVD documentary of the band (a nice corollary to the Thunder Soul doc that came out recently), so it’s about as definitive an overview as you’re likely to get. They run through strong covers of contemporary funk hits like James Brown’s “Super Bad,” Dennis Coffey’s “Scorpio,” and Isaac Hayes’ “Theme from Shaft,” but the originals are just as good. It’s an album that will make you regret all the days you wasted in high school not being as superbad as the KSB.

Herbie Hancock - Thrust (CD 10010)

At the Music Library, we’ve been listening to a lot of those funky mid-70s Herbie Hancock records lately, especially Secrets and Head Hunters. Thrust might be the best of that bunch. The album consists of four extended tracks giving the band a chance to stretch out. Hancock plays an extended array of classic synths and electric pianos, and is accompanied by his longtime collaborator and multi-reedist, Bennie Maupin, and the textbook perfect funk rhythm section of Paul Jackson on bass and Mike Clark on drums. Bill Summers handles percussion, adding a relaxed Latin feel to “Butterfly,” the album’s sole ballad.

 

Krzysztof Penderecki - St. Luke’s Passion & Threnody (CD 9973)

This double-disc release combines two of Penderecki’s most famous and affecting works – “St. Luke’s Passion” and “Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima” – and throws in a few more great pieces such as “Dimensions of Time and Silence,” which sounds exactly like you’d expect from the title. My favorite piece is the expansive, atonal, swirling, spooky Passion. Once heard, it’s not easy to forget.