DRAM (initially an acronym for Database of Recorded American Music, a name which has since become insufficient to describe DRAM’s contents) is a streaming audio service accessible to VU faculty, students and staff on or off campus. DRAM features music ranging from folk to opera, Native American to jazz, 19th and 20th century classical, musical theater, new music, electronic and beyond.
Here’s a list of recommended recordings and labels for listening:
• Search for Susan Botti to hear the debut commercial recording (on CRI) of the Rome Prize winning composer premiering a work at Blair on Feb. 19!• The Cedille label includes recordings of acclaimed violinist Rachel Barton Pine and the Grammy-winning chamber ensemble Eighth Blackbird.
• Bill Dixon’s Tapestries for Small Orchestra (on Firehouse 12 Records) was the sole recording to score a five-star (masterpiece) rating in DownBeat’s February 2010 issue.
• The Confederacy of Dunces series on Einstein Records features selections from live recordings by Erik Friedlander, Ursula Oppens, Bill Frissell, John Zorn, and others.
• Cold Blue Music includes recordings by Peter Garland, John Luther Adams, and Harold Budd.
• Mode Records includes an extensive catalogue of works by John Cage, Morton Feldman, Luciano Berio, Iannis Xenakis, and Morton Subotnick.
• BMOP/sound includes premieres by John Harbison, Lee Hyla, Michael Gandolfi, and others.
There’s a great deal more content to recommend about this tremendously important resource! If you share our excitement, please let us know!