Daniel Stephen Johnson appears in the following:
NOW Ensemble Blends Upbeat Lyricism and Heady Abstraction in 'Dreamfall'
Monday, June 01, 2015
NOW Ensemble emerged a decade ago as standard bearers, of a sort, for the new kids of new music. Stream their latest anthology of new works, "Dreamfall," all week.
Bryce Dessner's Mesmerizing Inventions for So Percussion
Monday, May 25, 2015
When composer and rock guitarist Bryce Dessner of the National was asked to write music for So Percussion, he didn't just create a new piece of music. He invented a new instrument.
Steve Reich's Masterful Gateway Drug in Assured New Recording
Monday, May 04, 2015
Steve Reich composed "Music for 18 Musicians" some 40 years ago, but it still remains the perfect gateway drug for Reich's music. A new recording by Ensemble Signal shows why.
Martin Scherzinger's Alternative Calculus in 'African Math'
Monday, April 20, 2015
Composer Martin Scherzinger's new record is an enlightened take on the traditional music of Africa – mostly because his music recognizes that it is not African music. Listen all week.
Clarinetist Martin Fröst Displays a Dancer's Virtuosity in 'Nordic Concertos'
Monday, March 30, 2015
The clarinet is lucky to have Martin Fröst, a musical showman who has produced handsome recordings of works new and old. Stream his latest album "Nordic Concertos" all week.
Kronos Quartet and Tanya Tagaq Tap Canadian Cool in 'Tundra Songs'
Monday, March 16, 2015
Thanks be to Björk: it was her collaboration with Tanya Tagaq that brought the singer from Nunavut, Canada the much-deserved attention of a worldwide musical audience.
Benjamin Hochman Reinvigorates a Familiar Theme in 'Variations'
Monday, March 09, 2015
The composers on "Variations," pianist Benjamin Hochman's new disc on the Avie label, are ideally suited to the form of Theme and Variations. Stream the album in full.
Jukka Linkola and Ville Matvejeff Draw Inspiration from Fairy Tales, Heavy Metal Heroics
Monday, March 02, 2015
A new release features two relative unknowns in Finnish contemporary music: Jukka Linkola and Ville Matvejeff. Hear why their music deserves broader recognition.
'Who the Hell is Allan Pettersson?' Told Through Score and Film
Monday, February 09, 2015
Allan Pettersson (1911-1980), born to a working-class family, was a Swedish composer whose violin playing pulled him up from a childhood straight out of a Roald Dahl novel.
Kaija Saariaho's Masterful Chamber Music Shines on a Larger Scale
Monday, January 26, 2015
Utterly original and new, the music of Kaija Saariaho is nevertheless recognizable as a successor to an old French tradition of rich lyricism and colorful orchestration.
Martin Bresnick Finds Light in Darkness with 'Prayers Remain Forever'
Monday, January 05, 2015
"Prayers Remain Forever," a new album of music by composer Martin Bresnick, finds inspiration from masters of the grotesque. Stream the entire album all this week.
New York Polyphony's Quiet Seasonal Treasure 'Sing Thee Nowell'
Monday, December 01, 2014
The Christmas season and New York Polyphony, a four-man choir specializing in sacred music, are a match made in heaven. The ensemble's new album spans over five centuries of song.
Philip Glass's Piano Etudes Exemplify a Muscular Late Period
Monday, November 24, 2014
Philip Glass's complete set of 20 Etudes are released on this disc for the first time, recorded by Maki Namekawa for the composer's Orange Mountain Music label. Stream the album now.
Erkki-Sven Tüür Brandishes His Rock Chops in Fifth Symphony
Monday, November 03, 2014
Erkki-Sven Tüür has gained a reputation as one of Estonia's most exciting and fascinating composers. His new album illustrates that he also knows how to cut loose... and rock.
New Record Label Debuts with Auspicious, Witty 'Violin'
Monday, September 15, 2014
The most surprising thing about the debut of VIA Records, the label whose arrival is heralded by the release of Anna Clyne's "The Violin," is that it didn't happen long ago.
Cincinnati Symphony Mines the Terror of the Sublime in 'Hallowed Ground'
Monday, September 08, 2014
Issued on Cincinnati Symphony's own label, "Hallowed Ground" finds unexpected connections between David Lang's hard, bitter pieces and those by Aaron Copland and Nico Muhly.
Chicago-based Fifth House Ensemble Takes Flight with 'Excelsior'
Monday, August 25, 2014
Fifth House Ensemble's new album "Excelsior" builds itself up gradually from the luminous energy of Alex Shapiro's "Perpetual Spark" to Caleb Burhans's half-hour title track.
From Russia to Iran: Pianist Tara Kamangar Travels 'East of Melancholy'
Monday, August 11, 2014
Pianist Tara Kamangar's "East of Melancholy" is a luxuriously lovely recital of virtuoso piano music spanning musical traditions from Russia to Iran. Stream the entire album.
Richard Reed Parry Taps Performers' Inner Metronomes in 'Music for Heart and Breath'
Monday, July 21, 2014
Richard Reed Parry, a composer and member of the rock band Arcade Fire, writes classical compositions based the actual pulse of the performers themselves. Stream his "Music for Heart ...
NY Phil Biennial Roundup: Sound if Safe Success
Thursday, June 19, 2014
The inaugural New York Philharmonic Biennial, a string of contemporary music performances held around the city, proved to be—while void of risk—an enjoyable event. Check out Daniel St...