Hello everyone!
Welcome to our latest issue. I would like to introduce and welcome our newest contributor, Richard W. Hornbeck. A bass-baritone, Richard’s experience is varied and fascinating. Aside from singing in various opera productions, he worked for Polygram and VAI Records, among other firms. His first article profiles the elusive German soprano Delia Reinhardt, whose few recordings are richly deserving of renewed appreciation and renown.
We are also grateful for the ever enlightening Roger Pines, who contributes not only a full-length article on the great Dietrich Fischer Dieskau – 2025 marks the centenary of his birth – but two additional pieces. In “Desert Island Discs” we have a real treat – a discussion of Frank Loesser’s 1956 The Most Happy Fella, arguably the most operatic Broadway musical in the repertoire. In “Rarissima” Roger resurrects another “forgotten” soprano, Romanian Yolanda Marcoulescou and the rare recordings she made in Prague and Bucharest.
We stay in Romania’s capital for two other segments. In this issue’s Shop Focus, we peruse Targul Cartii, Bucharest’s leading second-hand book and music shop, also available online. In our Label Focus, we survey “Radio Legende”, the state radio’s CD series featuring great Romanian artists in rare “live” broadcast performances.
This issue includes a Peter Rosen double-feature as we examine two engrossing Van Cliburn Competition documentaries he directed: “The Cliburn: Playing on the Edge” and “A Surprise in Texas”. This seemed the perfect opportunity to re-visit Van Cliburn himself, also in two articles. The first tells the backstory behind the iconic photo RCA used for his debut Tchaikovsky album, while the second delves into a little-known aspect of his artistry: Van Cliburn the composer and arranger.
We are very happy to welcome back Jon Tolansky, one of the great chroniclers of London musical life, in this case the indispensable percussionist Kevin Nutty, whose 58-year career spans the golden age of the LP to the era of digital downloads. Kevin had a bird’s eye view of some of the greatest conductors of the last century and shares his memories with us.
Danish ceramics master Bjørn Wiinblad is the subject of this issue’s “Art of Cover Art” Department. For decades he was nearly a household name in his native Denmark, so popular were his ceramic and home decor designs. Less well known is that he also designed album covers for Danish Columbia, Mercury, and others.
Last, but certainly not least, Nils Göran Olve tells the unlikely story of Swedish baritone Ingvar Wixell’s unexpected participation in the 1965 Eurovision Song Contest performing a ballad “Absent Friend” with music by composer Lars-Erik Larsson, no less.
This and much more awaits you. Thanks for staying with us. It is deeply appreciated.
— Warm wishes, Joe Moore