The young Italian pianist Alessio Bax takes us back to Bach with this astonishing disc. He plays romantic Bach transcriptions from pianist-composers, who flourished around the turn of the 20th century, that only pianists with amazing technique can handle. Melodies you know with wonderful twists.
English pianist Paul Lewis received great reviews and a Grammophone Award for his recording of the complete Beethoven Sonatas a few years back. Now he's taking on the 5 Beethoven Concertos with the BBC Orchestra and conductor Jiri Belohlavek. One critic said, "Lewis paints a portrait of Beethoven full of light and shade." Hear excerpts throughout the week on KDFC and always just after 4pm.
A lovely, relaxing 2-CD set featuring guitarists like Julian Bream, Christopher Parkening, Manuel Barrueco, and Andres Segovia in music ranging from the Renaissance to Rodrigo, Bach to the Beatles.
Marin Alsop became the first female Music Director of a major U.S. orchestra when she signed on with the Baltimore Symphony in 2007. Their latest recording together couples two of Dvorak's great symphonies, the 7th and the 8th. BBC Music Magazine wrote, "It is rare to be able to say that a performance forces one to listen to a work anew but this is exactly what Alsop's reading achieves." Look for Marin Alsop in Santa Cruz beginning this Sunday for the annual Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music.
In her debut recording, Mexican conductor Alondra de la Parra leads the New York-based Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas in music celebrating Mexico's Bicentennial. World premieres of rarely-heard music by Mexican composers along with works by Ponce, Revueltas and others highlight this new 2-disc release. De la Parra leads the SF Symphony at Davies this Thursday and also Sunday at Dolores Park.
Leading into our "You Had Me at Cello" Weekend, this week we feature a big box set of the cello's greatest hits. On 5 CDs, just about everything of significance written for the cello, performed by Julian Lloyd Webber, Maurice Gendron and Heinrich Schiff. Included are the Cello Concertos of Dvorak, Saint-Saens and Elgar, the Bach Cello Suites and much more.
La Serenissima is a nickname for the serene city of Venice and the name of this UK group that specializes in the music of Venice's favorite son, Antonio Vivaldi. Gods, Emperors and Angels features concertos for strings, recorder, and bassoon, some of which were dedicated to the Emperor Charles VI and some of which were written for the "angels" of the La Pieta orphanage where Vivaldi was music master.
On this perfect CD for Independence Day, the world's most famous brass ensemble salutes its friend and neighbor to the south with a rousing selection of American favorites including Stars and Stripes Forever, America the Beautiful, Battle Hymn of the Republic, Shenendoah, and much more. They even slipped in "O, Canada"! Interestingly, the disc features replica drums from the Colonial and Civil War eras.
The universal pursuit of peace in our chaotic world is the raison d'etre behind these two new collections from Virgin records. A ton of super soothing selections are performed by familiar names on each of these 3-CD box sets. Vocal superstars include Natalie Dessay, Barbara Hendricks and Rolando Villazon and the Zen piano set features Leif Ove Andsnes, Stephen Hough, Mikhail Pletnev, and other great pianists.
Summertime in Havana. Our featured CD this week is a collection of Danzas Cubanas from a remarkably gifted 19th-century Cuban composer who is pretty much unknown these days. Ignacio Cervantes studied with American Louis-Moreau Gottschalk and hung out with the likes of Liszt, Rossini and Paderewski. Italian pianist Davide Cabassi does the honors.
What would Schumann’s 200th birthday be without a big boxed set? Not everything he wrote, but pretty darned close, and all of the most important works – symphonies, chamber music, vocal works, and, of course, piano – with a few notable rarities. Performers include pianists Maurizio Pollini, Christoph Eschenbach and Vladimir Ashkenazy; the London Symphony, Vienna Philharmonic, and l’Orchestre Revolutionnaire et Romantique; the Beaux Arts Trio; and baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau. 35 CDs!
The former keyboardist for Deep Purple is back with another disc of melodic and contemplative orchestral music. This time the featured work is a concerto for flute and piano that commemorates his friendship with the late John Mortimer, the barrister and author who created “Rumpole of the Bailey.”
Libera return with their new album Peace. Familiar to audiences across the world, the boys have a stunningly original sound, which is at once both ancient and modern. Their distinctive flowing white robes symbolise the traditional origins of their style - yet their music reaches across the generations to a new mainstream audience. Libera's success in album charts around the world bears witness to the extraordinary appeal of this unique ‘boy band.’
This 6CD set contains 100 tracks from the most familiar and best-loved works by the Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840–1893), performed by many of the world’s leading instrumentalists, singers, orchestras and conductors.
Superstar violinist Gil Shaham teams up with this international, conductorless chamber orchestra for unique chamber versions of two of Haydn’s lyrical violin concertos, and the amazing Octet for Strings by the 16-year-old Mendelssohn.
Clever and virtuosic arrangements of great movie themes from “The Wizard of Oz” to “Psycho,” “Atonement” to “Beauty and the Beast.” Fun for the whole family!
Just in time for Earth Day, it’s a musical aviary from pianist Michael Lewin, including a hummingbird (MacDowell), a cuckoo (Daquin), woodbirds (Hofmann and Jensen), even a turkey (Guion) and, of course, a swan (Saint-Saens). Recorded at Skywalker Sound and beautifully (and ecologically) packaged.
Sol Gabetta: Hayden and Mozart Cello Concertos The spectacular Argentinian cellist and entrepreneur is back with a disc of concertos unknown (Hofmann), well-known (Haydn) and re-imagined (Mozart). Beautiful playing, ably supported by the Basel Chamber Orchestra.
Piazzini Plays Piazzolla Classically-trained pianist Piazzini brings what she calls her “Mozart fingers” to music by the great tango master and other Argentinian composers, bringing the concert hall into the dance hall for a very successful marriage!
Simon Trpceski
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concertos 2 & 3 Trpceski and Petrenko are in town with the San Francisco Symphony this week, and Thursday is Rachmaninoff’s birthday, so how much more synergistic can you get? Well, how about fantastic performances of two of the 20th century’s most popular concertos?
Daniel Hope: A Baroque Journey Air sets out to trace a baroque journey. It is the story of four unique composers, three of whom were virtuoso violinists—Falconiero, Matteis and Geminiani from Italy, and Westhoff from Germany. They wandered throughout Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries in search of musical inspiration and cross-pollination, and their music and art of performance intrigued and delighted kings, contemporaries and audiences alike.
Irish Classics Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, lush arrangements of popular Irish tunes, guaranteed to bring out the green in your blood! From the same folks who brought you the “What if Mozart Wrote…” series, but with maybe a bit less blarney.
REBELS: The Four Seasons This recording began as a dance project for the stage, and you can feel the musicians carrying that feeling over onto the disc. Sure, there are lots of good recordings of the “Four Seasons,” but you probably haven’t heard it played like this before. Rebel’s “Elements” was way ahead of its time in its use of special effects. Great sonics, too.
CHOPIN Top 100 100 for the 200th! Six CDs of music by perhaps the greatest of all pianist-composers, just in time for his 200th birthday celebrations. Performers include Garrick Ohlsson, Martha Argerich, Arthur Rubinstein, Ingrid Fliter and more.
CHOPIN: Journal Intime (“Private Diary”)
Alexandre Tharaud Just in time for Chopin’s 200th birthday next Monday, one of today’s most thoughtful pianists has recorded his own “private diary.” Tharaud has been playing many of these pieces since his student days, and each one has a special association for him, which he is happy to pass on to you!
Cascade of Roses - A Piano Bouquet Keep that Valentine’s feeling going just a little bit longer with this beautifully recorded CD of Romantic piano miniatures. The special packaging also includes verses about love and roses from poets like Keats, Tennyson, Amy Lowell, George Eliot and more. Sweets for the sweet!
I Love Ballet What’s more romantic than a night at the ballet? This is either the ultimate date-night CD, or a disc to keep your little girl twirling and leaping for hours, with great scenes from Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella, and more.
100 Best Violin Six CDs of the Violin’s greatest hits, played by some of its greatest hitters! Fritz Kreisler, Yehudi Menihin, Maxim Vengerov, Anne-Sophie Mutter and more for a very special price.
Giuliano Carmignola: Concerto Italiano Recording after recording, Giuliano Carmignola, Andrea Marcon and the Venice Baroque Orchestra have proven themselves as a winning combination. Concerto Italiano features a selection of violin concertos by Antonio Lolli, Domenico Dall’Oglio, Michele Stratico and Pietro Nardini—all selected and performed by Carmignola and all (except Lolli) world-premiere recordings. The works of these virtuoso composers were specifically written to impress audiences with their technical feats, using state-ofthe- art violin techniques of their time in the most natural way, combined with the playfulness and charm of the gallant rococo style.
“…a remarkable virtuoso with an astounding palette of subtle effects and a highly individual voice. A charismatic, high-voltage performer ...”—The Washington Post
Ophelie Gaillard: Dreams The latest CD by this French-Swiss cellist was produced by Craig Leon, who made Joshua Bell’s violin sing on his best-selling CD “Romance of the Violin.” He is also the only classical producer/arranger in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, for his work with the Ramones, Blondie, Talking Heads and others! Gaillard revels in these sensous, dreamy arrangements of well-known arias and piano works, created just for her.
Rachmaninoff Plays Rachmaninoff Step into the Wayback Machine - through Zenph Studios’ digital wizardry, these recordings made by Rachmaninoff between 1921 and 1942 sound as clean as if they were made yesterday. It’s an amazing glimpse of one of history’s greatest musicians.
KDFC's Top Ten CD's of the Year We’ve reviewed this year’s KDFC CDs of the Week (almost 50 of them), and based on your feedback and CD sales, here are our Top 10.
December 21st
The Priests: Harmony The sophomore album from the singing global superstars who broke the Guinness world record for the fastest selling classical debut album of all time. The Priests, brothers Fathers Martin and Eugene O'Hagan and Father David Delargy, were young school friends when they first sang together at the age of 12 (Martin and David) and 15 (Eugene). Their love of singing continued whilst studying for the priesthood in Rome. Once ordained, all three took up parish commitments. Singing was both part of prayer plus, in their spare time, they performed in local operas, musicals and choirs. In February 2008, a record company scout knocked on their door and asked them to make a demo. The rest, as they say is history. The Priests never allow their music commitments to stand in the way of their day jobs and parish obligations.
Andrea Bocelli - My Christmas Mega-Producer David Foster joins the superstar tenor for a holiday CD that crosses all musical boundaries. Featuring special guests like soprano Katherine Jenkins, Natalie Cole, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Muppets!
What if Mozart Wrote White Christmas? Producer and Mastermind Warren Schatz has re-arranged and re-issued his classic "What if Mozart Wrote 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas'" but with a full string orchestra instead of just a quartet, and with a few new tracks. The arrangements work so well because they really are in the style of Mozart, Grieg, Tchaikovsky and the gang, and not just elevator-music versions. As much fun as the original, with more strings!
Christmas Tradition: Canadian Brass Remastered and reissued for this holiday season, here are 23 tracks of holiday favorites from the irrepressible masters of brassy high spirits.
KDFC's Sounds of the Season!
Our gifts to you! Our three previous holiday CDs, plus our latest, featuring tasty arrangements of holiday favorites, played by string quartet and harp.
Brahms: The Symphonies (Three CDs) The Berlin Philharmonic comes to Davies Symphony Hall this week for just the third time in 50 years, on a tour celebrating these new recordings. If you’re new to Brahms, this is a great introduction to some of the greatest symphonies ever written. If you’re already a fan, you will want to add this set to your collection.
111 Years Of Deutsche Grammophon [6 CD Set] Six CDs with 111 tracks from the legendary label’s first 111 years, with performers from Abbado to Zukerman and composers from Anonymous to Wieniawski!
Angele Dubeau: Virtuose Dubeau and La Pieta will be at Yoshi’s San Francisco on November 19 for our next KDFC in the Clubs Concert. Buy your tickets now so you don’t miss it, and get a taste of what you’ll hear on this “best of” CD.
Sarah Chang: Bruch, Brahms Violin Concertos Twenty years after first performing it, superstar violinist Sarah Chang has finally recorded the monumental Violin Concerto by Johannes Brahms. She’s paired it with the work she first learned for her Juilliard audition at age 5, the Concerto #1 by Max Bruch. Chang plays with the Dresden Philharmonic and conductor Kurt Masur whom she calls her “musical godfather."
Watch a behind the scenes video about the collaboration between Chang Masur on the KDFC Video on Demand page.
Gustavo Dudamel: DISCOVERIES Just 28 years old, Gustavo Dudamel took over as Music Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic last week with a gala concert, wild celebrations, and tons of hype. But you can believe it all – he is The Real Deal. This is a disc of highlights of his recordings with the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela, the orchestra he grew up in and led to world-wide acclaim. You can hear the LA Phil’s opening night concert with Gustavo Dudamel this Sunday night (October 18) at 8pm on KDFC’s “Symphonycast”.
Katona Twins: Manuel de Falla Manuel de Falla wrote only one piece for the guitar, but the sound of the instrument influenced everything else he wrote. Peter and Zoltan Katona take these familiar tunes back to their original inspiration, adding some wild percussion from David Garcia Mir and vocals from soprano Juanita Lascarro. It’s a Spanish Dance Party!
The Best of Joshua Bell This three-disc set covers the early part of Joshua Bell’s career, and includes performances which have been out of print for years. You get concertos by Mozart and Brahms, disc of chamber music, and one of favorites and showpieces. A real crowd-pleaser, like the violinist himself!
Vivaldi: The French Connection Rarely recorded works by Vivaldi in the “French style” that was all the rage in Italy at the time. This is a great-sounding recording by the group which took the nickname of Vivaldi’s home city of Venice, La Serenissima.
James Rhodes:
Razor Blades, Little Pills and Big Pianos James Rhodes is a 34-year-old Englishman, mostly self-taught, whose life was, quite literally, saved by the piano. His debut CD is getting rave notices around the world.
Bach: Four Orchestral Suites This new look at the four suites of dances Bach wrote for his most generous patron, Prince Leopold, has a Bay Area connection: the featured soloist is oboist Gonzalo Ruiz of Philharmonia Baroque.
Cinema: Laurent Korcia Following in the footsteps of great violinists like Jascha Heiftetz, who arranged popular songs in classical style, the young French violinist brings his magic to some of the most romantic movie themes of all time.
100 Best 20th Century Classics This 6 CD set covers many of the most popular works composed between 1900 and 1999, as well as representative pieces by composers who broadened the concept of classical music during that period and those who pushed its boundaries to the limits.
Stephen Osborne: Rachmaninoff Preludes There’s lots of buzz about this disc from an award-winning Scottish pianist who says his hands are too small to play Rachmaninoff’s music! Beautiful sound and engaging performances.
Stokowski: Bach Transcriptions Vol 2 Some of Bach’s “greatest hits,” updated for the big 20th century orchestra by one of the great populists in Classical Music history, Leopold Stokowski (remember him from “Fantasia”?) – conducted with flair by one of his assistants.
Haydn: 7 “London” Symphonies Chamber Orchestra of Europe / Claudio Abbado
It’s the 200th anniversary year of Haydn’s death, and this is one of the best compilations you’ll see, with some of his best-known symphonies.
Includes work(s) by various composers. Ensembles: London Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, English Chamber Orchestra, Suisse Romande Orchestra, Montreal Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
A stroll through Chopin’s later years with the poetic Portugese pianist. This album was released in Portugal last year and entered the pop charts at #6!
Catrin Finch: The Goldberg Variations
One of our Top 30 Under 30 takes on one of the most challenging of all keyboard works, and makes it sing on the harp.
Great Movie Themes 2
Summertime means summer movie blockbusters, so we're celebrating with a new CD of movie soundtrack favorites. Enjoy tracks from superstar film composers Williams, Rota, Elfman and more.
GERMANY, ITALIAN-STYLE Arcangelo Corelli was one of the most celebrated composers of the 16th and 17th century. These are Platti’s arrangements of Corelli’s music for the German courts.
Look Ma! Two Hands!
Pianist Leon Fleisher nearly had to give up on his career. But, thanks to new treatments and therapies which included Botox, Fleisher is playing with both hands again. Hear his new all Mozart CD, recorded with his wife. It’s our CD of the Week.
The 'Soloist' Soundtrack
This movie touches the heart and soul on so many levels. “The Soloist” is a story of hard knocks, friendship, music and second chances. The soundtrack is our CD of the Week.
CD Six Pack
This is one hot collection of the best encores ever written. They’re all here…from goblin dances, fire dances, festive overtures, even “Danny Boy.” Check out our new CDs of the Week, “Encore!”
West Of The Sun - Music Of The Americas
This CD recently debuted on the Billboard Classical chart at number 3!! Recorded at Skywalker Sound in Marin County, 39 year old pianist Joel Fan of New York City shines in music from North and South America…from Amy Beach to Piazzolla.
Venezia 1625
Swiss recorder virtuoso Maurice Steger captures the golden age of Venetian instrumental music. These 17th century dances are a joy to listen to. Hear the CD of the week for yourself
These six concertos have been recorded countless times yet this new double disc stands out! The music is rich and crisp with each instrument taking its turn on center stage. This double disc is our new CD of the week. Bravo…Bach is Back!
Get a behind the scenes look at this recording on the KDFC VIDEO PAGE
This new recording by young French pianist Alexandre Tharaud is already one of the hottest selling CDs in France. Alexandre celebrates a lifetime of music written by 19th and 20th century Frenchman Erik Satie in this double disc.
The guitar is one of the most recognized and widely-loved instruments in the world crossing all boundaries. This new CD "Eternal Guitar" celebrates the music of Vivaldi and Bach, Albeniz and Rodrigo and even an original piece by 20th century guitar master, Andres Segovia.
They’re all here…keyboard masterpieces by Chopin, Bach, Mendelssohn, Brahms, Rachmaninov, Beethoven and more. 5 CDs worth of your favorite classical piano works assembled in a 5 CD set.
For her new CD, cellist Sol Gabetta has chosen opera arias, songs and chansons by French and Russian composers arranged for cello and orchestra. Her cello singing melodies are elegiac, elated and brilliant.
Vivaldi and the cello were made for each other. Here’s a new recording of 7 concerti featuring one of the moodiest instruments mastered by Korean cellist Han-Na Chang.
Our new CD of the Week is a 6-disc set featuring 100 of the most romantic classical works ever written. They’re assembled by region… From Russia With Love, to French Passion, to Love American Style. You and your valentine are going to love it.
This unique CD/DVD features violinist Anne-Sophie’s personal tribute marking the 200th anniversary of Mendelssohn’s birth. It’s radiant, warm, intimate and deeply personal. See the video, too.
Young French pianist David Fray, BBC Music Magazine's Newcomer of the Year in 2008, breathes new life into four Bach concertos written when he was giving concerts at a Leipzig coffee house and garden. Fray brings them alive on this week’s KDFC CD of the Week. Watch the video.
Canadian violinist James Ehnes pays “Homage” to the world’s most famous violins by performing some of the most challenging violin works. The result is, in a word, PHENOMENAL! See the video.
Johann Strauss Jr. was the most famous in the family but had some stiff competition. Our new CD of the Week is a five CD box set featuring waltzes, marches and polkas from four members of the Strauss Family whose music ruled the dance floors of 19th century Vienna.
British composer/choral conductor/arranger/producer John Rutter mines Christmas gold with his brilliant new CD. Teamed with the Cambridge singers and the Farnham Youth Choir, the music is lush, stirring, reverent and beautiful.
This collection was hand-crafted to reflect the crème de la crème of holiday favorites. Local musicians including Chanticleer and international stars such as Yo-Yo Ma Grace our 8th annual CD Sampler. And the proceeds help fund music programs in Bay Area schools. It’s win-win!
The Moscow Soloists demonstrate why they are one of the world’s premiere ensembles. Mozart’s most popular work never sounded fresher. Tchaikovsky’s “Serenade” sings like a lover below a balcony. And Grieg’s “Suite in the Olden Style” may inspire you to dance.
37-year old Russian pianist Evgeny Kissin has performed the five Beethoven concertos many times…and even recorded a few. He’s been waiting for the best possible musical environment to record them all and it’s finally come. And he found new ways to express them. Listen for yourself!
Alison Balsom is fast becoming an international star. The British trumpeter has broken an invisible gender barrier and inspired interest by young women to pick up this instrument and make music!! Discover the beauty of the 18th century in a thrilling new way.
Home for the Harvest is a new collection of music intended to be the perfect companion to Thanksgiving. With selections by Aaron Copland, Morton Gould and other American composers, it arrives just in time for our most American of holidays.
Songs Of Joy And Peace / Yo-Yo Ma
Yo Yo Ma has some really BIG friends. From jazz stars Dave Brubeck, Diana Krall and Chris Botti to Renee Fleming, Edgar Meyer, the Assad Brothers and James Taylor. Together they make magic on this joyful new CD. It's a must have in your collection.
French Roast
We’re pretty excited about our CD of the Week. Cedric Tiberghien is one of the most exciting pianists to emerge from France in recent years. He’s young (30), handsome, energetic, in high demand on the recital circuit…and his new CD is all Brahms. What’s not to love?! Cedric also is hot in the UK. This season he plays with the BBC Symphony, City of Birmingham Symphony, BBC Scottish Symphony and BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
And we did some checking to make sure we got his name right. It’s pronounced “Said-RICK Tea-bear-zhee-ANNE. We also found on youtube a terrific video of Cedric playing the Chopin Ballade. It’s captivating!!
“The pair of Bach concertos speak of a distant musical world in which stability and spontaneity achieved an extraordinary conjunction,” wrote Gramophone. “The performances are dispatched with elegance and vigour.”
The brooding, turbulent and darkly inviting in tempus prasen, written for Mutter by Sofia Gubaidulina, will receive its U.S premiere here in February when Mutter performs with MTT and the San Francisco Symphony.
5 Stars - Favorites From The 5 Browns
These five piano-playing siblings from Utah (and the Juilliard School) are more than just a novelty act – they can get serious, they have fun, and they can swing. They get a chance to show it all off, individually and collectively, in this collection of 16 of their favorite performances from their earlier CDs. They’ll be in San Rafael in March – don’t miss them!
Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas Vol 4 / Lewis
English pianist Paul Lewis has now finished his cycle of complete Beethoven Sonatas, and he saved the best for last. All four volumes were Gramophone “Editor’s Choice” discs, and this one had already won a Gramophone Award for Best Instrumental recording when it won Record of the Year last week. The New York Times called his playing “as insightful and engrossing as ever.”
The Essential Midori
Midori has been an international star since she was barely a teenager, and this double-disc set gives you almost 2-1/2 hours of highlights from her remarkable career. From Bach to Bartok, playing solo, with pianist Robert McDonald, or with some of the world’s great orchestras, these CDs show off her amazing technique, range, and passion, and how she has grown as an artist over the last 20 years.
Chopin: Piano Concertos No 1 & 2 / Lang Lang, Zubin Mehta, Vienna Po
Lang Lang has always been an audience favorite, and he continues to grow as an artist, curbing his more flamboyant impulses in these concertos, and concentrating on the lyrical lines within the classical structure. He sees them as two parts of a love story, and he tells the story from his own heart. You can hear him play Concerto #1 live with the San Francisco Symphony in December!
Vivaldi: The Four Seasons; Tartini: Violin Sonata In G Minor "devil's Trill" / Joshua Bell, Et Al
If you heard Joshua Bell and the Academy touring with the Four Seasons last year, you know this is no ordinary Vivaldi. The disc also includes Tartini’s fiendishly difficult “Devil’s Trill” Sonata, and proves once again that Bell is one of the most dynamic and exciting musicians of our time.
Ultimate Classical Guitar - The Essential Masterpieces
Four centuries of the guitar’s greatest hits, including Rodrigo’s famous Conciertos, solo works from Latin America, Vivaldi Concertos, and traditional Flamenco classics. With performers like Pepe Romero, Eduardo Fernandez and Alexandre Lagoya, and with five discs of music at this price, this would make a great gift for your favorite guitar lover.
Beethoven: Piano Concertos, Triple Concerto / Abbado, Pollini, Berlin Po, Et Al
More of the Claudio Abbado 75th Birthday celebrations! When these performances were first recorded in 1992, they were hailed as Pollini’s finest. DG has reissued them in a special 3-CD package, along with a new recording of Beethoven’s Triple Concerto, featuring 3 outstanding young soloists and the Simon Bolivar Youth Symphony of Venezuela (Gustavo Dudamel’s band), Abbado’s only recording of this unusual concerto.
Vivaldi: Concerti Per Violino / Deuter, Waisman, Harmonie Universelle
Many of these concertos have never been recorded before, several because they were only recently discovered. Florian Deuter has played with Musica Antiqua Koln, the Gabrieli Consort, and other well-known period instrument groups; he founded Harmonie Universelle in 2003. This is a great-sounding disc that will give you an idea of how Vivaldi developed the style of violin writing (and playing) that was so widely imitated over the course of the 18th century.
Mendelssohn - Piano Music / Bertrand Chamayou
A young French pianist brings new life to Mendelssohn’s sometimes-neglected piano music. Unlike Chopin or Liszt, Mendelssohn didn’t much care for the idea of the concert recital; he thought of his solo piano music as something to be shared with friends. But he put as much thought and craft into these pieces as he did into everything – they’re not just tossed off. Bertrand Chamayou studied with Murray Perahia, and he uses this CD to recreate what an evening with Mendelssohn at the keyboard might have sounded like. Amazingly played, and beautifully recorded.
Horowitz In Hamburg - The Last Concert
One of the greatest pianists of all time captured live in his final concert, playing some of his favorite music by Schumann, Chopin, Mozart and more. Horowitz was as famous for his eccentricities as he was for his musicianship, but his concerts were always “events.” Even at 83, he shows why in this never-before-released recording.
Chorégraphie / Andrew Lawrence-King
An unusual disc of music that was used to teach the various dances of 1700 to Louis XIV and his court. Elegantly played by Andrew Lawrence-King on the baroque triple harp, it may not get you bouncing around the room, but it will transport you to a more refined state of mind!
Marches & Dances - Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, Wagner, Etc / Claudio Abbado, Et Al
Claudio Abbado’s career shows no signs of slowing down despite his health issues, so it’s fitting that he himself put together this sampler of his favorite “moving music.” Recorded between 1977 and 1996, it runs from Mozart to Prokofiev and back and features some of the world’s greatest orchestras.
It’s the future of Classical Music! Two orchestras of young musicians (students and pros just starting out), led by two conductors, one already a legend and one a legend-in-the-making. These are both live recordings, and you can feel the energy; the performances jump right out of the speakers.
For Dudamel, this is the first CD recording of him with his brilliant young orchestra – live, in concert, in Caracas -- playing repertoire with which they’ve thrilled audiences (and amazed critics) around the world. “They set the concert hall afire with an enthusiastic fervor the likes of which none of us had ever witnessed from a symphony orchestra” (Los
Angeles Times). Feel the energy in this video highlight.
July 14th
Schubert, Mozart / Katia Et Marielle Labèque
Can you sing with your fingers? Katia and Marielle Labeque can. The Schubert brings out the sensitive, even poetic side of these often fiery musicians; the Mozart Sonata is the piece on which the “Mozart Effect” study was based. See if it works for you!
Saint-saëns: Sonate No 1, Etc / Bertrand, Amoyel
This young French cellist made her name in contemporary music, but here she lends her beautiful tone and flawless pitch to both familiar and not-so-familiar music Saint-Saens wrote for his favorite instrument.
Bella Napoli - Concertos For Oboe / Christoph Hartmann
Six composers from three centuries, all linked and inspired by the city of Naples. Hartmann is a member of the Berlin Philharmonic, and he has unearthed some real gems here. Five of the six works are world premiere recordings!
Divenire / Ludovico Einaudi
The latest from the KDFC phenomenon! More orchestral than his earlier discs, and a little more adventurous, but still the signature Einaudi sound that has made his earlier discs best-sellers with KDFC listeners.
Rachmaninoff/Warenberg: Piano Concerto "no 5" / Schmitt-leonardy
An unusual, and for the most part successful, arrangement of Rachmaninoff’s popular Symphony #2 as a piano concerto! All the big tunes are here, and the arranger deftly channels Rachmaninoff’s style of piano writing.
Chopin: Barcarolle Op 60, Impromptu In C Sharp Minor, Etc / Ingrid Fliter
Argentinian-born Ingrid Fliter has been winning competitions all over the world since she was 16, and recently won the prestigious Gilmore Artist Award. She’ll be playing at Herbst Theater in San Francisco in January, and has been getting rave notices for her Chopin.
Italian Opera Arias / Dessay, Pidò, Alagna, Et Al
She’s currently appearing at SF Opera in Lucia di Lammermoor – you’ll see her at the ballpark simulcast next week! Dessay is one of today’s best operatic actresses, and the CD includes a bonus DVD of the famous Mad Scene from Lucia. You’ll see why she’s a sensation wherever she sings.
Mozart: Piano Concertos K 414 & 491 / Pollini, Vienna Po
After his first Mozart CD came out last year, the Times of London said, ”This is the sound of a man in love.” Grammy-winner Pollini leads the Vienna Philharmonic from the keyboard in live performances of two concertos from Mozart’s glory years.
Ponchielli: Cielo E Mar
Another tenor who can lay claim to being “the voice of the future,” according to his ecstatic reviews and the wild applause of his audiences. An intense singer with a wide range, he alternates familiar arias with some forgotten gems, and puts his all into every one.
John Bayless - Circle Of Life
Bonus CD! Bayless play the music of Elton John in the style of J.S. Bach. Very tastefully done, for the most part, and guaranteed to raise a smile – or several – as you play “name that tune.”
Legends / Robert Moody, Canadian Brass
Their latest release on their own label, this disc includes many of their signature pieces, like Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man,” Barber’s “Adagio” and Gabrieli’s “Jubilate Deo.” Arranged for Quintet, Double Quintet and full brass ensemble, it’s a feast for the ears!
Romantic Arias / Jonas Kaufmann, Marco Armiliato, Prague PO
This versatile German tenor has been getting rave notices around the world. This disc is all over the stylistic map, from Tosca to Parsifal, Carmen to Der Dreischutz, but romantic and passionate throughout. Bill Lueth calls him “the Real Deal”!
Meet the charismatic Kaufmann, currently performing in Tosca at London’s Royal Opera House, in this video preview.
40 Degrees North - Albéniz, Goss, Chen, Granados, Etc / Xuefei Yang
The 40th parallel runs roughly between Beijing and Madrid, and so does the music on this beautiful CD from one of our Top 30 Performers Under 30. Traditional Chinese songs (including the Butterfly Lovers) stand side-by-side with Spanish tunes from Granados and Albeniz, many in her own arrangements.
Ah! Mio Cor - Handel Arias / Kozena, Marcon, Et Al
The Sunday Times called her “the voice that goes straight to the heart.” Kozena follows up her best-selling “Lamento” with this disc of music from the Baroque era, her specialty. The tracks mix well-known with lesser-known arias to show off the full emotional range of her voice. Get a preview of her San Francisco Performances recital next April!
Ravel: Boléro; Borodin, Bizet / Erich Kunzel, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra Another sonic spectacular from Telarc and Cincinnati. In addition to the title cut, this disc features familiar music from Bizet’s Carmen, and a suite of melodies by Borodin that were adapted for the classic musical Kismet. Guaranteed to have you humming and dancing along!
Arias For Rubini / Juan Diego Flórez
Tenor arias from Rossini, Bellini and Donizetti, originally sung by the king of 19th century tenors, Giovanni Rubini. Peruvian tenor Florez seems poised to become the king of 21st century tenors; just last month he sang two solo encores at the Met (the first time that had been permitted in decades), and he brought down the house. Is he the real deal? You decide!
Two pianists, one established, one up-and-coming, tackling the daunting Chopin Preludes, and you get a rare chance to compare them, on the air and in our special Club KDFC Listening Room. You can also hear the 20-year-old Blechacz in concert this Sunday at Herbst Theater in San Francisco.
The “Royal Family of the Guitar” now spans three generations, and this double-CD set covers recordings from 1962 to 1985, including favorites like Rodrigo’s “Concierto de Aranjuez,” a “Carmen” suite, and Concertos by Vivaldi, for one, two, three and four guitars. Essential listening for guitar lovers!
Debussy: Complete Works For Piano Vol 2 / Bavouzet
French pianist Bavouzet is a master at getting all of Debussy’s colors out of the piano, even finding some you might not have expected. He has a reputation for somewhat unusual interpretations, but they’re always interesting and always grounded in the music. This is how Impressionism was meant to sound (even if Debussy himself didn’t like that term!).
Bernard Labadie is in town this week to work his magic with the San Francisco Symphony; this is his latest recording with the orchestra he founded in Canada. Fresh, clean, and very stylish performances!
The superstar pianist will be a guest judge and performer and the KDFC Classical Starsearch finals. His latest is an anthology of some of his best recordings so far, including some live cuts. Hear what all the excitement is about!
It seems as though Scottish guitarist David Russell puts out a new CD every year, but why not? They sound great, and he is not just a masterly player but an enjoyable one as well. He won a Grammy Award a couple of years ago, and when he’s not organizing charity golf tournaments for drought relief in Africa, he’s finding beautiful but little-known works to record, or devising ways to make familiar music sound fresh. This new CD has a little bit of both.
This is the debut album from this multiple-prize-winner, and it’s an original – and, I think, successful – way to launch a recording career. Most of these songs were written during the 1950s and 1960s, which was not an especially friendly time for Western-style music in China; but somehow piano music thrived, and these songs range from folk-style melodies to stirring, proletariat work songs, arranged in a modern, classical style.
The New Year’s Concerts in Vienna have been an annual tradition since 1939, but 2008 is the first year a French conductor has led the Vienna Philharmonic. Georges Pretre leads the Vienna Philharmonic in plenty of festive music from Johann Strauss and friends, recorded live! DECCA B0010611
Release Date: 01/22/2008 Label: Deutsche Grammophon Catalog: 001061002 Number of Discs: 2
Composer: Sir Edward Elgar
Performer: Paul Watkins
Conductor: Jiri Belohlávek
Orchestra/Ensemble: BBC Symphony Orchestra
Release Date: 11/06/2007 Label: Analekta Catalog: 29835 Number of Discs: 2
Composer: Antonio Vivaldi
Conductor: Jeanne Lamon
Orchestra/Ensemble: Tafelmusik
A Gramophone Magazine 'Editor's Choice,' this is another terrific-sounding disc from one of the world's premiere period-performance groups. The package also inlcudes a DVD multi-cultural re-imagining of Vivaldi's 'The Four Season.' -- Rik Malone
Elgar: Cello Concerto, Etc / Clein, Handley, Et Al
Release Date: 02/05/2008 Label: Emi Classics Catalog: 01409 Number of Discs: 1
Composer: Sir Edward Elgar
Performer: Natalie Clein
Conductor: Vernon Handley
Orchestra/Ensemble: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
31-year-old British cellist Natalie Clein made a big splash when she won the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition in 1994 with a performance of Elgar's Cello Concerto. Now she has finally put that sensational performance on disc, along with several of Elgar's miniatures, arranged for cello and orchestra. You can learn more about her on her own web page and Myspace page. -- Rik Malone
KDFC’s Music Director Rik Malone has picked out a piano disc by pianist Dustin O’Halloran, whose day job is with Devics, a “dream pop” band from L.A. He also wrote music for Sofia Coppola’s 2006 film “Marie Antoinette.” This is his second disc of Piano Solos (hence the creative album title), and the pieces (all titled simply with Opus numbers) could be called “dream classical”; very moody, atmospheric and melodic in the style of KDFC favorites Helen Jane Long and Ludovico Einaudi.
Release Date: 01/15/2008 Label: Sony Catalog: 721581 Number of Discs: 2
Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven, Johann Sebastian Bach, Johannes Brahms, Franz Schubert, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,
Edvard Grieg, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Maurice Ravel
Performer: Leon Fleisher, Robert Mann, Isidore Cohen, Raphael Hillyer, Claus Adam,
Jaime Laredo, Joseph Silverstein, Yo-Yo Ma
Conductor: George Szell, Seiji Ozawa
Orchestra/Ensemble: Cleveland Orchestra, Juilliard String Quartet, Boston Symphony Orchestra
Leading into our "You Had Me at Cello" Weekend, this week we feature a big box set of the cello's greatest hits. On 5 CDs, just about everything of significance written for the cello, performed by Julian Lloyd Webber, Maurice Gendron and Heinrich Schiff. Included are the Cello Concertos of Dvorak, Saint-Saens and Elgar, the Bach Cello Suites and much more.
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KDFC’s Music Director Rik Malone has picked out a piano disc by pianist Dustin O’Halloran, whose day job is with Devics, a “dream pop” band from L.A. He also wrote music for Sofia Coppola’s 2006 film “Marie Antoinette.” This is his second disc of Piano Solos (hence the creative album title), and the pieces (all titled simply with Opus numbers) could be called “dream classical”; very moody, atmospheric and melodic in the style of KDFC favorites Helen Jane Long and Ludovico Einaudi.
