#ClassicsaDay #Curseofthe9th Week 3

Beethoven died after writing his 9th Symphony. It was believed that future composers would also be doomed after writing their 9th. Turns out not to be the case.

Ralph Graves 10/19/23 Ralph Graves 10/19/23

Hermitage Piano Trio's Impressive Spanish Impressions

Great performances impeccably recorded. What else would you expect from Reference?

Ralph Graves 10/18/23 Ralph Graves 10/18/23

Outstanding Chamber Music from David Biedenbender

To my ears, Biedenbender's music effectively blends several elements. He writes strong melodic lines that are tonal, but free of the major/minor straightjacket.

Ralph Graves 10/17/23 Ralph Graves 10/17/23

The Palacio Songbook -- Early Spanish Music Re-examined

The scholarship is first-rate. And so is the musicianship. Da Tempera Velha brings out the stylistic differences between the collections, albeit subtly.

Ralph Graves 10/13/23 Ralph Graves 10/13/23

#ClassicsaDay #Curseofthe9th Week 2

Are composers — like Beethoven — doomed to die after writing their ninth symphony? Some did. But many more did not.

Ralph Graves 10/12/23 Ralph Graves 10/12/23

Hyacinthe Jadin Piano Sonatas Build on Haydn

Toporowski plays these works with great refinement. He shapes the phrases with subtilty. And his technical skills make even the most complex runs sound simple and elegant.

Ralph Graves 10/11/23 Ralph Graves 10/11/23

Charles Villers Stanford Children's Songs Charm

If you're just discovering Stanford, I wouldn't recommend starting here. But if you already know him through his sacred works, then add this to your collection.

Ralph Graves 10/10/23 Ralph Graves 10/10/23

British Music for Strings Features Women Composers

Douglas Bostock directs the Sudwestdeutsches Kammerorchestere Pforzheim. Though German, the musicians capture the inherent "Englishness" of these works.

Ralph Graves 10/6/23 Ralph Graves 10/6/23

#ClassicsaDay #Curseofthe9th Week 1

Is the Curse of the Ninth real? The challenge is to post 10th Symphonies written after 1827. Turns out there were quite a few.

We are grateful for the generosity of the Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation and UVA Arts Council, supporting WTJU and CharlottesvilleClassical.org.