I just wanted to let you all know that I am still listening to lots of classical music, and to recommend a cd I bought yesterday.

I particularly liked the Gershwin and the Saint-Saens. Fred, I think it was you that had recommended the latter to me, so thank you.

Anyway, this is the cd:

Yo-Yo Ma: Appassionato

dg

Yo-Yo Ma is a colourful performer. Plenty of life in his 'cello!

Saint Saens ? What was that ? Carnival of the Animals? Can't think I suggested the Organ Concerto. It goes on for 'days' but the sad fourth movement is fine His Danse Macabre is fun (if you see what I mean!)

dg If you like colourful virtuosity in your music, you couldn't do better that sample the work of Maxim Vengerov, the violinist, as in e.g. the cd 'Vengerov and Virtuosi' Technically he can't be bettered and he loves to show that skill to its best effect. He can be a bit of a show-off (and what's wrong with that? If you've got it, flaunt it!)

Perhaps I should have just listened to Vengerov. But no, I went to YouTube, and watched a performance. Oh man, is he smug. Or is he just concentrating hard?
But anyway, on the same page I found a clip of Yehudi Menuhin, so that was good
Who is better, in your opinion?

Why do you say Yo-Yo Ma a colourful performer? Who would you say, in contrast, gives a more subdued performance?
Thanks. dg

Yo-Yo Ma's Bach cello works are great. If you're into Gershwin, I'm on record here as recommending Michael Feinstein's vocal renditions of his songs.

Thanks for the recommendation, jr. I found some recordings of Michael Feinstein this afternoon. Excellent.

Anyone here who is not familiar with Yo Yo Ma, I found this on YouTube. An interesting video that goes back very early in his life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLa4zAOOpq4