The Classics: February 15th

Milos: Blackbird - The Beatles Album. Milos Karadaglic (guitar). Mercury Classic CD

Known just as Milos, an award-winning classical guitarist and recording artist from Montenegro plays innovative versions of songs by the Beatles that may delight a wide range of long-term fans and also charm classical ears.

The melodies of 15 "hits'' are interpreted with beauty and grace.

The guitar is supported in some tracks by strings, Anoushka Shanka (Ravi's daughter) adds glittering sitar to Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, and Steven Isserlis' cello contribution adorns Michelle.

Two tracks feature vocalists: Tori Amos in She's Leaving Home and Gregory Porter in Let It Be.

Toru Takemitsu's guitar version of Yesterday is included in this classical homage to musical treasures, elegantly played to show its inherent beauty.

Verdict: Blackbird sings in gentle, relaxing music.

 

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Desplat: The Danish Girl (original movie soundtrack). London Symphony Orchestra. Deutsche Grammophon CD

This music for a film was composed by veteran French movie composer Alexandre Desplat, who won the Oscar for best original score for The Grand Budapest Hotel (after many earlier nominations).

Played well by the splendid London Symphony Orchestra, and with significant piano parts and solos by pianist Dave Arch, this score was surprisingly not nominated for this year's award.

Title track Danish Girl is a dreamy, slightly impressionist piece. Most of the other 17 tracks are also pleasantly gentle, with two versions of Danish Waltz as bonus tracks.

To suit the film, Radiation has scary sounds.

Other tracks are descriptive, with a dip into the past where Roses of Picardy blooms easily.

Verdict: Clever music written for film.

• Geoff Adams 

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