Joshua Bell: Romance Of The Violin

1. Gianni Schicchi: O mio babbino caro (Arr. C. Leon for Violin & Orchestra) 2. The Girl with Flaxen Hair 3. Nocturne No. 20 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. posth (Arranged for Violin & Orchestra) 4. The Carnival of the Animals, R. 125: XIII. The Swan 5. Serenade, D. 957, No. 4 6. Casta Diva from Norma 7. Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K. 467: II. Andante (Arranged for Violin & Orchestra) 8. Orfeo ed Euridice, Wq. 30: Dance of the Blessed Spirits (Arranged for Violin & Orchestra) 9. String Quartet No. 2 in D Major: III. Nocturne 10. Songs My Mother Taught Me, Op. 55, No. 4 (Arr. for Violin and Orchestra) 11. Pur ti Miro from 'L'incoronazione di Poppea 12. Elegie: O doux printemps d'autrefois 13. Kinderszenen, Op. 15: No. 7, Träumerei (Arr. for Violin and Orchestra)

Every track on this CD contains a beautiful melody, many of them easily recognizable, all of them exuding tranquility. "O mio babbino caro" from Puccini's Gianni Schicchi opens the disc, with Bell delicately accompanied by a harp and spinning the long melody with great sensitivity. Bellini's "Casta diva" from Norma lives up to its reputation as the epitome of bel canto in Bell's hands; his violin sings. The middle movement of Mozart's 21st Piano Concerto takes well to the violin, and Debussy's "The Girl with the Flaxen Hair" is played with great warmth and sensuality. It would be easy to turn a recital like this into treacle, but Bell is wise enough to realize that the music is already sweet enough and he plays with great reserve and a minimum of sentimental slides. The light accompaniments always support, with woodwinds prominent but used with grace. This CD, in short, is a beauty: a fine gift, a lovely mood setter. --Robert Levine

Price: $22.98