Category Archives: Classical

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.

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Filed under 20th Century, Cello, Chamber Music, Choral, Clarinet, Classical, Contemporary, Flute, Percussion, Piano, Staff Picks, String Quartet, Symphony, Viola, Violin, Winds

by carleyde | March 28, 2013 · 6:40 pm

Carley’s Staff Picks!

In recent months I have been fueled by Beethoven. Piano sonatas, string quartets, symphonies, concertos, everything. So, my first staff pick is the excellent documentary In Search of Beethoven. There are too many prominent ensembles, conductors and pianists featured in the film to count. The documentary truly takes the viewer on a journey. It catalogs his works and gives us some insight into Beethoven’s remarkable personality and his empathy for humanity.

In Search of Beethoven: A film by Phil Grabsky ~ DVD 202

Chamber music. There’s so much of it! I think Mendelssohn is a good place to start. His piano trios are remarkable (the man DID write “Songs without Words”).

Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio in D minor was written in 1839, the year before Schumann experienced his most prolific year of songwriting. I love that Schumann viewed Mendelssohn as the Mozart of the 19th century, saying that he was the “most of illuminating of musicians”. High praise.

The Piano Trios of Felix Mendelssohn ~ CD 9069

2013 is the bicentennial of Verdi and Wagner! Orchestras and Opera companies all over the world are celebrating with seasons dedicated to performing great works, from the most famous to the lesser-known. The AUSO began the celebration in March with the overture from Die Meistersinger von Nurmberg and they will be joined by the AU Chorus in a couple of weeks to keep the party going with Verdi’s Four Sacre Pezzi.

Simon Boccanegra ~ CD 8802

Birgit Nilsson Sings Wagner Arias with Hans Hotter and Leopold Ludwig ~ CD 8173

This one’s for Robert:

Meredith Monk: Turtle Dreams ~ CD 9697

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Filed under Baroque, Brass, Cello, Chamber Music, Classical, DVDs, Libary News, Library Announcements, Live Performaces, Opera, Piano, Recordings, Romantic, Staff Picks, Uncategorized, Video, Violin, Vocal

by carleyde | March 18, 2013 · 5:56 pm

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

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Filed under 20th Century, Cello, Classical, DVDs, Libary News, Library Announcements, Opera, Piano, Recordings, Romantic, Scores, Viola, Violin, Vocal

by robertjsheehan | February 26, 2013 · 8:27 pm

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.

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Filed under 20th Century, Baroque, Bluegrass, Classical, Contemporary, Databases, Folk, Links, Opera, Staff Picks, Uncategorized

by carleyde | February 7, 2013 · 8:39 pm

We just got Eighth Blackbird’s GRAMMY NOMINATED “Meanwhile” (and other scores, CDs, DVD)

Get excited about our newest acquisition, Eighth Blackbird’s recent release “Meanwhile”: CD 10048.

“Is there an ensemble anywhere that conveys the sheer exuberance and joy of contemporary music like Eighth Blackbird? To listen to this brilliant young American sextet is to be constantly reminded of just how exciting, funny and ingratiating new work can be – especially when it’s delivered with these players’ characteristic blend of breakneck virtuosity and charm.”

- Joshua Kosman for the San Fransisco Chronicle

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The Kashmere Stage Band: Texas Thunder Soul, 1968-1974 - CD 10047

Paul Winter Sextet: Jazz Meets the Bossa Nova/Folk Song – CD 10046

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DVD

Chops – Music Library DVD 55

Follows a group of high school students from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, a public school in Jacksonville, FL, as they try to win a competition where the prize is being able to play at the prestigious Essentially Ellington Festival at New York’s Lincoln Center and an opportunity to work with famed jazz musician Wynton Marsalis.

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