This double album is a sampler of Decca's new recordings of Beethoven's complete symphonies (five CDs), piano concertos and piano sonatas, all with conductor-pianist Barenboim, surely one of the greatest Beethoven interpreters of our time.
Subtitled "Music of Power, Passion and Beauty", the highlights of the project feature selected movements from Symphonies 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, Piano Concertos 1, 3, 4, 5 and Piano Sonatas 8, 14, and 23 - works to whet the appetite of classical aficionados and others to explore more of the composer's iconic works.
The extraordinary orchestra of young people from Israel, Palestine and various Arab countries of the Middle East, joined across political boundaries, has toured since 2010 and makes splendid sounds.
Highlight: Best bits of Beethoven.
Acoompanied by a European orchestra, the young Montenegrin guitarist plays tangos, Brazilian dances and other works with Central and South American flavour. He topped classical charts last year with his debut disc The Guitar, and has since toured the classical guitar back to popularity.
A flamboyant programme includes Piazolla's popular Libertango and Oblivion, and works by Barrios, Mangore, Rodriguez, Cardoso, Gardel and Brouwer. While the virtuoso soloist is not greatly stretched technically he shows immaculate control and emotional intensity.
Villa-Lobos' Prelude No 1 and Mazurka-Choro (No 1 Suite populaire Brasilienne), merging sounds of Brazilian street musicians with European dances, may please classical fans best.
Highlights: Latin flavours in Ponce's Scherzino mexicano, Morel's Danza brasilera.
