Inaugurating the New and Recent Release Podcast

I’m going to take a crack at regularly showcasing new and recent releases that impress the heck out of me. Herein is the first edition.

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More information on the featured recordings:

Continue reading Inaugurating the New and Recent Release Podcast

Inaugurating the New and Recent Release Podcast

I’m going to take a crack at regularly showcasing new and recent releases that impress the heck out of me. Herein is the first edition.

{enclose 20111105.nrpodcast.mp3}

More information on the featured recordings:

Continue reading Inaugurating the New and Recent Release Podcast

Ugly Rumors from a Venerable Musical Powerhouse

I’ve recently heard from some colleagues who are very well connected to New York City’s musical organizations rumors that the manager of one of the most prominent and revered had hired — and generously paid — his well-known brother as a “consultant” some years back without going through the proper channels. Yes, these are “only rumors” — but when they come from people in different business and social circles, one tends to put a bit more credence in them. Someone may well need to hire a spin doctor, and soon.

On the Short Liszt of the Year’s Best

Of course I can’t pass up an opportunity to create a terrible pun, and in this case it’s apt. Yes, it’s the 200th anniversary of virtuoso pianist and underrated composer Franz Liszt, and the music world is being inundated by recitals and recordings. Naturally, it’s easy to be jaded about anything Lisztian under the circumstances, so I’m pleased to report that last night’s recital of some of the composer’s barnburners at Christ & St. Stephen’s Church in Manhattan (about a 5 minute walk from Lincoln Center) was one of the best programs I’ve seen all year. And the artist is a name you’re unlikely to know, but should. Continue reading On the Short Liszt of the Year’s Best

The Podcast: Miranda Cuckson

Violinist Miranda Cuckson took some time recently to talk to us about her interest in new music, her artistic collaboration with composer Michael Hersch, and the experience of preparing and performing contemporary works for concert and the recording studio. You can find out more about Miranda here, and information on The Wreckage of Flowers, recently released on CD by Musical Concepts, here.

Miranda Cuckson: The Synaphai Podcast (14:09, mp3, 20.4Mb)

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Gene Gaudette on classical music, cultural politics, political culture, media, and his record labels.