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Lyrichord is proud to introduce a new series of internet podcast programs detailing the history and performance of early and classical music and instruments over the centuries, illustrated by music from the Lyrichord Early Music Series and the Lyrichord Classical labels. The first fourteen shows of this informative and entertaining series are now complete and ready for airing. The show is co-hosted by Lyrichord president Nick Fritsch, and noted American countertenor, Jeffrey Dooley. In this series, Fritsch and Dooley discuss wide-ranging topics that include the history and development of keyboard instruments, the fascinating story of the countertenor voice, the rise and transformation of instruments such as the recorder and baroque flute, the “revival” harpsichords of the early twentieth century, and the Baroque period in music. Each show runs about 45 minutes, but where the subject invites deeper exploration, the discussion may extend to multiple segments. Dozens of full tracks from Lyrichord’s rich and abundant catalogue are played and referenced throughout each show, which also feature brief promotional audio spots highlighting selected artists and releases.
About Nick Fritsch
Nick Fritsch’s father Peter Fritsch founded Lyrichord Discs in 1950. Nick Fritsch became President in 1988, and, under his leadership, the venerable label has flourished, and now includes three separate imprints of traditional world and classical music. Fritsch’s introduction to early and classical music came when he sang as a boy soprano in the famed St. Luke in the Fields, and Church of the Transfiguration choirs in New York City. In the 1990s Nick launched the Lyrichord Early Music Series, with cornerstone reissues of the great countertenor Russell Oberlin, performing with instrumentalists and singers from the ground-breaking New York Pro Musica. Since then, the Lyrichord Early Music Series has grown to nearly 80 titles of stellar recordings of Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque and Classical Music, many performed on original instruments. Artists on the Lyrichord Early Music Series include sopranos Elizabeth Futral and Julianne Baird, Countertenors Drew Minter, Jeffrey Dooley, Marshall Coid, orchestras and ensembles including the Artek Baroque Orchestra, Early Music New York, Amor Artis, and The Queen’s Chamber Band, and a host of high caliber artists such as Richard Troeger, John Paul, Elaine Comparone, and Fernando Valenti.
About Jeffrey Dooley
Jeffrey Dooley, the noted American countertenor and early music expert, has been a distinguished presence on and contributor to the evolution of the Lyrichord Early and Classical Music Show. Mr. Dooley literally burst upon the early music scene in the late 1970s with a legendary recording of Henry Purcell’s Airs and Duets with tenor Howard Crook. First appearing on the Nonesuch Label, this acclaimed recording has been reissued and is now available on Lyrichord. The Purcell was followed by a second landmark Nonesuch recording of J.S. Bach’s B minor Mass (BWV 232), in which Jeffrey sang alto under the direction of Joshua Rifkin in the first historic recording of this work featuring one singer per part. Jeffrey Dooley, has been an active artist in the USA and in Europe, touring and performing through the years with both modern and period instrument orchestras. Among these are the Milwaukee and Connecticut Symphonies, Musica Sacra, Amor Artis, Concert Royal, Tafelmusik, and the Waverly Consort. In opera, Jeffrey Dooley has performed roles in both the Baroque and contemporary repertoires, including the role of the Sorcerer in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, and Egeo in Handel’s Tesco. Jeffrey Dooley currently teaches master classes, gives lectures, offers individual training in all vocal ranges, and is the English language pronunciation specialist for the Berlitz language school in New York City.
“The podcasts have an easygoing tone, and are quite conversational, and feature a delightful give-and-take between Dooley and Fritsch.”
EARLY MUSIC AMERICA Spring, 2010
How the Series came to be
Nick Fritsch says that in the last ten years, he and Jeffrey Dooley have had an ongoing, more or less continuous discussion about music, music history and performance. One day in 2008, Nick suggested that they begin recording these discussions.
“First and foremost, we wanted the shows to be informal, intimate and anecdotal. In our discussion format, we tap Jeffrey Dooley’s encyclopedic knowledge from the perspective of a performer, as well as his first hand knowledge of virtually everything that’s happened in the early music field during the last thirty years. Added to this are my own perspectives, as well as the Lyrichord selections, illustrating all the musical styles, periods, artists and instruments discussed during each of the shows. The informal and informed conversations are also entertaining, laced with personal anecdotes, humorous and ironic touches we think will enlighten, entertain and appeal to music enthusiasts everywhere.”
As a result the Lyrichord Early and Classical Music Show was born. Future programs will include feature interviews between Nick and many top performing musicians and producers on Lyrichord, as well as more in the discussion format with Mr. Dooley. The shows are posted weekly, and can be accessed on Lyrichord.com, and iTunes. The programs are free. A link to the music played in each program is provided on Lyrichord. Downloads of the albums or selections can be purchased via the Lyrichord Downloads site, iTunes and other MP3 sellers, and cds bought through Lyrichord.com/.
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