Top 10 Classical

by Peter Burwasser

Famous conductor performances of Stravinsky dominate the catalog, but the great man's own readings, newly reissued, carry a special authority. The music here has a dash and insight unmatched elsewhere.

2. Fabrizio Ottaviucci, piano

Riley's writing is meant to render the piano mechanical, even unexpressive, and yet the phenomenal playing of Ottaviucci, ironically, lends this ground-breaking American minimalism a human touch.

3. Jonas Kaufmann, tenor

This is a Top 40 opera aria selection, meant to introduce a remarkable young talent. Kaufmann's hauntingly beautiful, carefully shaped voice is a throwback. No show-boating here, just classic good singing.

4. Marek Konstantynowicz, viola; Christian Eggen, conductor; Norwegian Radio Orchestra

This luminous set of works was a milestone for the late Brooklyn-born composer, as he transitioned into the dreamy, even narcotic final phase of his career. Voluptuous performances.

5. Geoffrey Burleson, piano

Vincent Persichetti is the most famous composer that most people have never heard. Here's a splendid remedy to that conundrum: all 12 of his amazing Piano Sonatas, in strong, devoted performances.

6. Gary Green conducting the Frost Wind Ensemble

These American composers transcend the rather esoteric category of wind band music with two well-built and affecting works. Who needs strings?

7. Various performers

Bridge continues what is shaping up to be a remarkably ambitious and meticulously assembled survey of the music of the nearly octogenarian composer. This edition covers a half-century of work, showing the evolution of a unique voice, with a superb expressive impulse as a constant element.

8. Denis Patkovic, accordian

Yes, Bach on the accordian, and there is nothing hokey about it. Patkovic is a fine artist who happens to play an instrument not normally associated with classical music. As a brilliant extra touch, he inserts, among the original variations, new music by Finnish composer Jukka Tiensuu, who either riffs on the Bach or heads off in his own direction. Bach lives!

9. Ronald Brautigam, piano; Andrew Parrott, conductor; Norrköping Symphony Orchestra

Brautigam eschews the period instruments he is using for his solo Beethoven piano series for a modern grand here, but the results are no less intimate and revealing. He puts his Steinway amid the orchestra with the lid removed, resulting in unusually fine textures.

10. Artur Pizarro, piano

This is piano-playing of tremendous style and charm. Pizarro defies the percussive nature of the instrument, finding color, flow and supple dynamic shading. The recorded sound is gorgeous, to boot.

(p_burwasser@citypaper.net)