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.

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

Ella’s Staff Picks: Mostly Folk

Anyone who knows me knows that I’m way into folk music, and my staff picks are no exception. Mostly folk, with a bit of jazz and rock. Without further ado, here we are!

Punch Brothers – Punch

Punch Brothers are a progressive bluegrass band, blending bluegrass instrumentation  and influence with jazz and modern classical structure. Their debut album, Punch, was recorded almost entirely live. It gives this album a raw, wild feeling. Highly improvisational, with every member of the band bringing virtuoso skill to their respective instruments, Punch Brothers are always an unexpected listening experience.

Joni Mitchell - Blue

Blue is deeply personal, stripped down, and very fragile feeling. Joni Mitchell uses open tunings and her Appalachian dulcimer to create jazz inspired chords and unexpected progressions. If you’re looking for some melancholy folk, this is the album for you.

Simon and Garfunkel – Old Friends

Old Friends is a 3-disc anthology of Simon and Garfunkel’s best known works, as well as some previously unreleased recordings. I really love their harmonies and mellow folk-rock feel. Simon and Garfunkel is always a classic, and this collection of hits is a good way to dive in to their catchier, more popular songs.

Yo Yo Ma and Stephane Grappelli – Anything Goes

Yo Yo Ma and Stephane Grappelli are two renowned string players, coming together for a playful, fun album of jazz. As a violinist who veers more into the jazz side of performing and preference, this combination of cello and fiddle playing Cole Porter tunes is very gratifying.

The Smiths – Meat is Murder

Meat is Murder was The Smiths second studio album, and also their only album to chart number one in the UK charts. This album and era of The Smiths was more political than previous material. When I’m tired of folkin’ it up, The Smiths are always a solid go-to for me. I’m always a fan of Morrisey’s melancholy vocals and the solid 80′s rock sound they bring to the table.

MORE New Arrivals!

The Opera America Song-Book  ~  M1507.O64 2012

The G. Schirmer Piano Collection: 33 Works by 25 Composers from 20th and 21st Centuries  ~  M21.G25 2012

Michael Daugherty  ~  Trail of Tears for flute and chamber orchestra (2010)  ~  M1020.D38 T73 2012

Gyorgy Ligeti  ~  Concerto for Piano and Orchestra (1985-88)  ~  M1010.L54 C66 2005

Gyorgy Ligeti  ~  Concerto for Violin and Orchestra  ~  M1013.L54 C66 2002

Franz Liszt  ~  Etudes D’Execution Transcendante  ~  M25.L25 E88 2004

Matthias Pintscher  ~  Funf Orchesterstucke (1997)  ~  M1045.P56 S78 1997

Matthais Pintscher  ~  tenebrae for viola, small ensemble and live electronics  ~  M1014.P56 T46 2001

Matthias Pintscher  ~  Thomas Chatterton, opera (1994-8)  ~  M1500.P56 T56 1998

Steve Reich: Music for 18 Musicians  ~  M1528.R45 M87 2000

Heitor Villa-Lobos  ~  Douze Etudes pour guitare seule  ~  M127.V55 E88 2011

Paul Chihara: Viola Concerto and Music for Viola, Vol. 2  ~  CD 10054

Advent at Ephesus: Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles ~  CD 10050

Kurtag 80, conducted by Zoltan Kocsis  ~  CD 10052

Gabrieli: Sacred Symphonies  ~  CD 10049

Starfucker  ~  CD 10055

True Blugrass Banjo  ~  CD 10051

Austin Peralta: Endless Planets  ~  CD 10056

The Complete Atomic Basie  ~  CD 10057

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

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

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

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

JOHN CAGE

Bird Cage  -  M1473.C34.B57 1972

Chess Pieces for Piano  -  M25.C34 C54 2005

 Nocturne for Violin and Piano  -  M221.C34 N63 1972

Radio Music  -  M1473.C34 R33 1961

Sonata for Clarinet  -  M72.C34 S66 1963

Sonata for Two Voices  -  M298.5.C34 S66 1979

String Quartet in four parts  -  M452.C32 S77 1960

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MORE NEW SCORES!

David Amram  -  Cancion de Verano: A Piano Quartet for Young Musicians  -  M412 A47.C36 2012

J.S. Bach  -  Sechs Partiten for Klavier, 1-3  -  M24.B115 S8 1958 v. 1

Ludwig van Beethoven  -  Three Equali for four Trombones WoO 30  – M457.4.B44 D74 2012

Luigi Carvelli  -  Serenata Napolitana for Violoncello and Piano  -  M233.C37 S47 2012

Richard Danielpour  -  Spirits in the Well for Soprano and Piano  -  M1621.4.D36 S65 2012

Michael Daugherty  -  Elvis Everywhere for String Quartet and Tape  -  M585.D38 E48 2010

Jacob Druckman  -  Dance with Shadows for Brass Quintet  – M557.4.D78 D36 2012

Beat Furrer (yes that is a name)  -  Phasma for Piano  -  M25.F87 P53 2005

David Friedman  -  Mirror from Another: A collection of solo pieces for vibraphone  -  M175.X6 F75 1987

Osvaldo Golijob  -  Tenebrae (Version III) for String Quartet  -  M454.G65 T46 2011

Aram Khachaturian  -  Double Fugue for string quartet  -  M452.K53 D68 2011

Lowell Lieberman  -  Six Songs on Poems of Nelly Sachs, Op. 14 for Soprano and Piano  -  M1621.L54 op.14 2012

Steve Mackey  -  Fusion Tone for Electric Guitar and Violoncello  -  M295.M33 F87 2012

Steve Reich  -  Know what is above you for Three Soprano Singers, One Alto Singer, and 2 Small Tuned Drums – M2019.5.R45 K66 2012

Igor Stravinsky  -  Circus Polka composed for a Young Elephant, for saxophone quartet  -  M459.S77 C57 2011

DRAM streaming audio database now available!

Of all the new additions to our collections that we added over the break, perhaps the most exciting is the Database of American Recorded Music (DRAM) streaming audio database.

The backbone of the 3,700 album collection is the output of legendary labels, New World Records and Composers Recordings, Inc, making it the single best streaming source for 20th century and contemporary American  classical music. It also incorporates twenty-eight other labels and collections as well, including Albany Records, the Dartmouth Archive of Jon Appleton’s works, and the Ben Hall Gospel Archive.

Though Naxos Music Library is a fantastic resource, finding contemporary composers and works is sometimes spotty. The DRAM database fills in the gaps with its incredible collection of rare and important recordings.

And if you haven’t yet, be sure to check out the full range of our streaming audio and video resources.