Classical Music

In the 3rd volume of the overview of Viktor Stepanovych Kosenko's (1896-1938) piano music, Natalya Shkoda continues in her mission to unveil the music of this Ukrainian pianist and composer with Eleven Etudes for Piano, Op. 8 and Twenty-Four Children's Pieces, both receiving their premiere recordings. Gramaphone magazine has said of this series: "Bravo to Shkoda for putting her accomplished playing at the service of this music".

Kosenko Shkoda Vikotr Sepanovytch Kosenko: Piano Music Volume 2: The CompletePiano Sonatas

On this new release, The Concordia String Trio performs two wonderful Viennese String Trios fom the late 19th century. The Concordia String Trio is violinist Marcia Henry Liebenow, violist Leslie Perna, and cellist Karen Becker. The Concordia String Trio explores and expands the eclectic repertoire of an under-appreciated genre- the string trio. This versatile ensemble has built a reputation for its exciting performances and innovative programs, juxtaposing pieces from the standard string trio repertoire with new compositions and little-known works of great composers. Formed in 1999, the trio has performed recitals and educational programs and has given lecture/demonstrations in Boston, Vermont, Kentucky, Texas, Utah and California. The group has also been a resident ensemble at the Warebrook Contemporary Music Festival, and recorded a capstone album entitled “90s Timeflow- Chamber Music of Alan Schmitz.”

Vaughan-Williams Tina Louise Cayouette, viola Six Studies in English Folksong, etc.

Russian pianist Daria Gloukhova is one of the most compelling pianists to have emerged the past several years. This is not the kind of flat Haydn performance that often befalls these works. This is Haydn imbued with fire and passion, but always given with taste and charm.

Arne True; Megyesi; Savaria Thomas A Arne: Overtures and Cantatas

ZOLTAN KODALY; ARAM KHACHATURIAN; ALAN HOVHANESS; RICHARD ARNELL Antony Cooke, cello. THE SOLO CELLO - ZOLTAN KODALY: Solo Sonata, Op. 8; ARAM KHACHATURIAN: Sonata-Fantasy; ALA HOVHANESS: Yakamochi; RICHARD ARNELL: Suite for Unaccompanied Cello.

A British-American ensemble formed in Oxford (UK), roots revival band Floyds Row explores early, folk, and classical idioms on an array of modern and period instruments. Fusing a variety of styles, Floyds Row repertoire includes both original material and pieces pulled from the early British folk tradition and English Renaissance. This release, featuring original works and arrangements by band members Andrew Arceci and Chris Ferebee, beautifully combines classical, world, jazz, and rock traditions to create the stunning result. "A mix of Purcell and Bob Dylan played on various instruments, including an accordion and a viola da gamba. Kinda crazy, but it works." (David Rabin, WPFW Radio)

Dr. Franklin Cox studied cello with, among others, Janos Starker and Peter Wiley, and composition with, again among others Brian Ferneyhough. He has received numerous fellowships, prizes, and commissions from leading institutions and festivals of new music. He has performed with many leading new music groups, including SONOR, the Group for Contemporary Music and Ensemble K�ln. The New Cello, V2: European Composers, features modern solo cello compositions by seven contemporary composers, with three the work of Klaus K. H�bler.

A leavening of novelty for the curious-minded.

The title of the disc speaks for itself, but there are intriguing moments for the unwary. If the Bloch pieces are by now staples of the repertoire we can note that the Bruch Kol Nidrei is heard here in an arrangement for five cellos made by Günter Ribke, and its textures are refined and malleable. And whilst Eli, Eli has been played by Mischa Elman as well as folk groups, Odeon Partos’s Yizkor will be a far less well known piece.
 
Cellist Amit Peled announces his musical precepts early, in Eli, Eli. He plays with lyric intensity but also with discreet emotionalism. It’s a quality, one of understated taste, that will recur throughout the disc. The cantorial declamation embedded in Bloch’s Meditation Hébraïque over the syncopated piano part is adeptly realised by Peled and by pianist Eli Kalman. If you want a more explicit take, however, you could turn to Parry and Frances Karp on Laurel LR856CD. The same is true when the Pered-Kalman duo turns to From Jewish Life. There’s a good sense of nobility in the Centaur performance of the Supplication and the Jewish Song is taken with directness and linearity. If one misses an infusion of expressive warmth however than that will be supplied by the Karps. This newcomer is a more cool look, though not without its own attractions.
 
Stutschewsky’s Hassidic Suite was written in 1946. There’s a yearning Bulgar opening, and a rather repetitious Chant for a second movement. Next comes a pleasing little scherzo. The most obviously Jewish movement is the finale, a Dance replete with lurching and rubato vivacity. By contrast Partos’ Yizkor (In Memoriam) is a haunted, brooding folk-based affair that sustains its ten minute length well. This is not the later 12 tone Partos. Mark Kopytman continues the mournful, elegiac feel with Kaddish, written in 1981. It’s written in three movements and the urgency and intensity of the first proves arresting. The central panel enshrines cleverly woven dance patterns – and there’s an ear catching role for the piano’s deft patterning. This is all leading to the keening soliloquy of the Lento finale, where it’s as if the enormity of loss has finally made itself apparent, beyond the forced vitality. The keening edge is rapt indeed.
 
So despite the conventional looking programme there is a leavening of novelty for the curious-minded. You don’t, as it were, have to be Jewish.
 
-- Jonathan Woolf, MusicWeb International

Japanese pianist Mari Asakawa has made a beautiful album of the works of Carter and Babbitt. She has the full measure of these works, this album presents these superb pieces in the best possible light. Mari began her piano studies in Japan at the age of five, and in 1980 moved to the United States. At the age of 15, she won the Westchester Competition, performing the Grieg concerto, followed by a performance of the Bach concerto at Alice Tully Hall. She earned a Bachelor's degree at the Julliard School, where she studied with Georgy Sandor, and received a Masters of Music at Yale University. In 1998, she moved to Italy, continuing her studies with Bruno Mezzena at the Accademia Musicale Pescarese, earning a diploma of the highest honor. Most recently, she was appointed to a teaching position at the Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music, where she teaches piano performance.

DUPRE; SHAFER; VERDI; BUXTEHUDE; REUBKE; THERESA VON PARADIS MARDIROSIAN (ORGAN) THE DOBSON ORGAN AT SYKES CHAPEL, THE UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA

Francois Couperin was one of the finest French Baroque composers and keyboardists. In fact, he was known as “Couperin the Great” to distinguish him from the rest of his talented Couperin family. This release features some of Couperin’s finest works, including Huitieme Concert “Dans le gout Theatral,” and “Les Ondes.” All works on this recording are performed on period instruments by the acclaimed Aulos Ensemble.

This is a fascinating program that is divided into four distinct thematic sections: Earth, Air, Water, and Fire. The works are an eclectic mix of compositions by composers of the 19th and 20th Centuries.