J&R’s Classical Department Gets a Nod From The NY Times

The New York Times gave our sponsors a nice mention for their record store’s classical section. This might come off as self-promotion, but it really is a good department & the store has always taken pride in it. They’re becoming a favorite stop for downtown listeners so if you’re in the area and want to hear something different, check them out.

Classical sales in general have gone up, as more people discover that a lovely melody is something to savor. We all love hearing sounds that make us shake our booty or bang our heads, but there are nights when you’re not in that mood. Sometimes you just want sweet sounds in the background, while you’re reading the paper or having dinner. A lot of people want to check this music out, but don’t know where to start listening — which brings us to the point of this article. Here’s our breakdown of the ten best classical releases of 2006. Whether you’re a true connoisseur, a curious beginner, or just looking for samples to drop into your trance or hip-hop beat, you’ll find something here that moves you.

• Renee Fleming, Sacred Songs. This American soprano is one of the world’s best. As a lyric soprano, Renee Fleming has packed opera houses around the world. Her take on classic hymns and religious songs is breathtaking.

• Josh Groban, Awake. Josh Groban’s versatile baritone melts hearts. Purists say he moves too far away from traditional, operatic structure to be classical, but we think his pop tendencies bring something new to the table.

• Ethel, Light. As energetic as a good rock band, this four-piece takes chamber music in new directions. Ethel’s three violins and single cello use rock-style amps to deliver a solid punch to listeners, while creating glorious harmonies.

• Joshua Bell, Voice of the Violin. One of the world’s finest violinsts, Joshua Bell has performed the world’s greatest orchestras and conductors. Along with the classics, Bell does a lot of modern compositions - the combination of old & new adds vitality to his repertoire.

• Peter Lieberson, Music of Peter Lieberson: Rilke Songs, The Six Realms, Horn Concerto. Peter Lieberson is one of the more respected modern composers; this album collects performances of his more famous works. Worth checking out for a taste of what modern songwriters are doing with classical traditions.

• Alexandre Tharaud, Chopin: Valses. Chopin’s waltzes (valses) were some of the most innovative compositions of their time. They’re still considered among the best, and when performed by a master pianist like Alexandre Tharaud, their beauty comes shining through.

• Alison Balsom, Bach: Works for Trumpet. English trumpeter Alison Balsom’s combination of good looks and great playing has made her a hit in Europe. Her take on Bach is elegant and brings this towering figure’s music to life for a modern-day audience.

• Valery Gergiev, Prokofiev: The Complete Symphonies. Valery Gergiev is a renowned conductor, leading some of the best orchestras in Europe. Here, he conducts all 7 of Prokofiev’s symphonies. It’s a joy to hear one of the world’s foremost conductors lead some of the world’s most beautiful orchestral pieces.

• Andrea Bocelli, Amore. Easily the breakout star of the classical world, Andrea Bocelli crossed over from the world of Italian opera houses and became a pop phenomenon. Amore takes pop standards and gives them the full symphonic treatment, using his famous tenor to bring across passion and feeling.

• Sting, Songs From The Labyrinth. Sting’s had an interesting career after The Police, and this is his latest experiment. It’s a collection of songs written in the by composer John Dowland. His songs are noted for their sad melodies and overall melancholy, and have influenced numerous classical guitarists. While there bits of modern production in there, the performance faithful to the original work.

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