The second CD contains Bach's keyboard concertos numbers 3, 5, 6 and 7, played on a piano by Perahia while simultaneously conducting London's Academy of St Martin in the Fields instrumentalists. These, usually referred to as Bach's Clavier Concertos, aren't the greatest music in the world, but Perahia plays their solo parts with wit and charm nonetheless.
Classic Perlman: Rhapsody
Sony Classical
SK 89449
Itzhak Perlman already has a large following in Taiwan, but this compilation CD, with several famous artists (Yo-Yo Ma, Daniel Barenboim) in attendance, will serve any newcomers as a convenient introduction to the warm-hearted violinist who plays sitting down due to a childhood bout of polio.
Morelenbaum2/ Sakamoto: Casa
Sony Classical
SK 89982
Opera Babes: Beyond Imagination
Sony Classical
SK 89916
These are two semi-classical items. The first consists of laid-back Brazilian songs, sometimes in Portuguese, sometimes in English sung by Paula Morelenbaum, accompanied by Jacques Morelenbaum (cello) and Ryuichi Sakamoto (piano). The items are beautifully recorded, if rather unvaried in style when heard one after another. The second CD is of famous opera arias with the addition of frequently brutal drumming. The Opera Babes may have been good enough for the 2002 World Cup organizers, but any genuine opera-lover will recognize them for what they are, an execrable travesty.
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