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.

Just Keep on Doin’ It! ~ New CD’s ~

Well hello there! You came just in time, we have some new CDs to show you

Look! There they are:

The History of New Orleans Rhythm & Blues Vol. 1 ~ CD 10027

The History of New Orleans Rhythm & Blues Vol. 2 ~ CD 10028

Santa’s got Mojo 2 ~ CD 10029

Jeff Holmes Quartet ~ Of One’s Own ~ CD 10030

Michael Feinberg ~ The Elvin Jones Project ~ CD 10031

Dream Girls ~ Original Broadway Cast Album ~ CD 10032

Benny Andersson ~ Kristina ~ CD 10033

Herbie Hancock ~ Secrets ~ CD 10034

Dan Visconti ~ Lonesome Roads ~ CD 10035

Black Manhattan Vol. 2 ~ CD 10036

Carley’s Christmas Favorites

Our final round of staff-picks for 2012!

American Song provides an impressive array of streaming audio for your entertainment. Here are some of my favorite finds. Note that there are pages upon pages of albums, so I suggest you type “Christmas” in the search bar and have at it if none of these picks tickle your fancy!

20th Century Masters: The Christmas Collection: Jackson 5(!)

A real classic. Who doesn’t love Michael’s high notes in “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”?

The New Possibility: John Fahey’s Guitar Soli Christmas Album/Christmas with John Fahey, Vol. II

An all-around winner appropriate for dressing the tree, dinner and cocktail parties.

Christmas with Rosemary Clooney

and without further adieu: 

Katie LaRaye Waldren: Cold Frosty Morning, A Celebration of Christmas on Hammered & Mountain Dulcimer

Trust me, it’s really nice.

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And here are some more picks from our Christmas CD Collection Subject Guide:

A Charlie Brown Christmas – CD 5057

On a Sensual Night, performed by AU’s own On a Sensual Note, 2007 – CD 5178

What if Mozart Wrote “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”, Hampton String Quartet – CD 426

The Ventures’ Christmas Album – CD 5062

Sing we Noel: Christmas Music from England & Early America, Boston Camerata – CD 201

Happy Holidays, all!

Upcoming Live Performance Events!

As we dive deeper into the Holiday season live music events continue to ramp up throughout the city. Here are some awesome events in the coming days (free & very cheap) that you shouldn’t miss!

American University Chorus: Sing a New Song

with Laura M. Petravage, conductor

Dana Scott, piano

Friday November 30th and Saturday December, 8 pm

Abramson Family Recital Hall, Katzen Arts Center, American University

$10 for AU Community, seniors; $15 general admission

The AU Chorus will give you a guided tour of American choral literature with their eclectic and nostalgic Fall program. It includes arrangements of folk-favorites “Bile them cabbage down” and “Cindy”, spirituals, classic Copland settings and more.

The highlight of the program is Samuel Barber’s Reincarnations for a capella chorus.The Reincarnations are rarely performed in their entirety as they are both complex and demanding. In their rendition the AU Chorus proves their remarkable musicianship and attention to detail under Laura Petravage’s brave leadership. Their enthusiasm is a rare treat and this weekend’s performances will not disappoint!

Jake Shimabukoro, ukulele virtuoso

Screening of “Life on Four Strings” and personal appearance by Mr. Shimabukoro

Monday December 3, 6:30 – 8:30 pm * FREE

Rasmuson Theater, National Museum of the American Indian

4th Street and Independence Ave SW, Washington DC 20024

This FREE event is presented by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center and promises to be a great time. “Life on four strings” is a documentary about Jake Shimabukoro, a ukulele-virtuoso who was recently declared a musical “hero” by Rolling Stone. Shimabukoro is truly an amazing musician.

Check out his website and watch his YouTube videos for more info!

This weeks STAFF PICKS: Brought to You by Ella!

Radiohead – Kid A (2324)

Genre: Electronica, Experimental Rock

A departure from the punk-rocky roots of Radiohead’s earlier albums, Kid A was a little hard for me to get into at first – but it was worth the time. Full of electronic blips and Thom Yorke’s distorted vocals, the effect is a fascinating, ambient, soundscape.  Personally I think it’d be really great star-gazing music. Favorite track on the album: How to Disappear Completely

Dark Side of The Moon – Pink Floyd (3675)

Genre: Progressive Rock

I would consider Dark Side of The Moon one of the best (if not the best) rock albums out there. The album begins with just the sound of a heartbeat, and grows into an album that is a seamless, continuous piece of music. With philosophical lyrics, psychedelic guitar riffs, and some mean saxophone solos, the musicianship and experimentation present in this album blows me away every time. Favorite track on the album: Time

Elliott Smith – XO (3760)

Genre: Indie Rock

Elliott Smith’s whispery, mournful vocals and folky guitar are almost instantly recognizable. There’s something inexplicably magnetic to me about his darkly catchy and introspective music. I just started listening to Elliott Smith at the beginning of the semester, and can’t get enough (or recommend him enough)! Favorite track on the album: Waltz #2 (XO)

Unplugged – Eric Clapton (9794)

Genre: Acoustic Blues

In “Unplugged”, the emotion and soul really shines through Eric Clapton’s music. I grew up listening to this album courtesy of my parents. Recorded live in England for MTV’s unplugged project, “Unplugged” is an intimate, stripped down version of Clapton’s work. This album is bluesy and full of incredibly raw, sincere performances. Favorite track on the album: Layla

The Look of Love – Diana Krall (2873)

Genre: Vocal Jazz

Again, this is an album right out of my parent’s collection that I grew up with. Diana Krall has a breathtakingly smooth, expressive voice. This album always feels nostalgic to me. Good for relaxing after a long day, the album is full of tender love songs and lush orchestration that give the songs such a big band, romantic feel. Favorite track on the album: Cry Me A River

New DVD Arrivals!!!

Alberta Hunter: My Castle’s Rockin’ (Music Library DVD 283)

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Opera by John Eaton (Music Library DVD 289)

Daddy Long Legs, starring Fred Astaire and Leslie Caron (Music Library DVD 290)

Carousel, by Rodgers & Hammerstein (Music Library DVD 291)

Jailhouse Rock, starring Elvis Presley (Music Library DVD 284)

Free screening of “Searching for Sugar Man” next Monday

AU students, check out this acclaimed documentary on Sixto Rodriguez next Monday. It’s free, but, as it says below, space is limited, so RSVP early.