Dario Salvi Brings Marschner Center Stage

Salvi conducts the Hradec Králové Philharmonic Orchestra. The ensemble has an attractive sound. Details are easy to hear, yet the sound has a smooth, homogenous texture.

Ralph Graves 10/27/23 Ralph Graves 10/27/23

#ClassicsaDay #Curseofthe9th Week 4

Beethoven died after writing his 9th symphony. But did that start a curse, dooming future composers to die after their 9th? Hardly.

Ralph Graves 10/26/23 Ralph Graves 10/26/23

Hans Gal Concertinos Seem Frozen in Time

This release shows how powerfully expressive Gal's music can be. Especially so if you don't care whether it was au courant or not.

Ralph Graves 10/25/23 Ralph Graves 10/25/23

The Extraordinary Concertos of Eduardo Grau

The four works on this album are very different in character. And yet there's a common thread. The soloists aren't there to impress us with their incredible technique. Rather, Grau's music demands they connect with the audience emotionally. And in that, they all succeed.

Ralph Graves 10/24/23 Ralph Graves 10/24/23

The Women's Philharmonic Re-issue Well Timed

Save for the piano concerto, these works are still seriously under-represented in recordings. So it's good to have this one back in print.

Ralph Graves 10/20/23 Ralph Graves 10/20/23

#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.

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