1. Fleyt Muzik in Kontsert, a CD with Adrianne Greenbaun on vintage and modern flutes along with Jake Schulman, fiddle, Pete Rushefsky, cimbalom, Brian Glassman, bass, and Max Yassky, poyk drum. Price: $15.00 plus S & H. Order online from: http://www.klezmerflute.com/ - or for credit card purchase, order from Fluteworld.com

This is a live recording that captures a joyous evening of traditional Jewish folk music played with so much soulful intensity, rhythmic drive, and emotion that the effect is just overwhelming. Such passion, and such commitment to making that connection with the audience and the heavens! After a significant career as performer and teacher of the modern silver flute, through her concerts, workshops and Klezmer music summer camps, and performances at NFA convention and synagogue services, Adrienne Greenbaum has been inspiring a revival of interest in the use of the flute in this genre for some time now and has established herself one of the most highly respected and popular players of this music. She is active in concertizing with some of the pre-eminent exponents of the Eastern European style of Klezmer, which is still alive and growing in the United States. The 23 selections on this CD display Greenbaum’s musical brilliance and skill on nine different flutes, from 6-, 8- and 10-keyed wooden flutes through modern Boehm flutes by Haynes, Powell, and Miyazawa. The CD concludes with several brief tracks of verbal commentary about the music played in each of the sets of the concert, which help put this music in context and provide excellent background knowledge. She really has absorbed this style of music in her heart and spirit; and some of the most poignant works featured here are her own compositions. Greenbaum makes the instrument soar to the heights of ecstasy and dig deep into the depths of emotion. Highly recommended. (J.E.P.)

2. Vuelvo al sur, 10 tangos and other pieces by Astor Piazzolla. Arranged for flute and piano by Hywel Davies. Includes sheet music and a CD with full performances and separate backing tracks with the piano accompaniment only. Published by Boosey & Hawkes and distributed in the U.S. by Hal Leonard, Inc. Stock number 48019804-H. Price: $22.95, plus shipping and tax.

Asor Piazzola, the great 20th century composer (1921-1992), who was born in Argentina and spent his childhood in the U.S., wrote much popular music and serious chamber music drawing on historic models to evolve his highly individual Nuevo tango form/style; but, unfortunately, he composed little specifically for the flute. So, for devotees of the intense and poignant music of Astor Piazzolla, this release will be a real find. The arranger, Hywel Davies has skillfully arranged these 10 pieces in a way that is idiomatic for the flute yet which retains the drama, mordant harmonies, and circular melodies. Included in this collection are short pieces in a variety of forms: Ausencia, Sin Rumbo, Los Suenos, Milonga for Three, Milonga Picaresque, Street Tango, Vuelvo al Sur, Mumuki, and the Overture and Duo from “A Midsummer’s Night Dream.” These deceivingly simple yet elegant works have not been played to death as some of Piazzolla’s more popular hits have been during the recent fad and revival of his music, yet they contain the essence of his mature style.

The piano accompaniments are not printed with the book of sheet music but can be downloaded and printed from the PDF files on the bundled CD, which also contains performances of the piano accompaniment parts played stylishly and sensitively by the arranger, Hywel Davies. Each piece is also recorded on separate tracks (providing not terribly well-done performances) with solo parts alternating between solo trumpet, violin, flute, clarinet, and saxophone (thus making the works easily available in multiple formats.) Forget the full performance tracks, and play along yourself with the piano on this CD. Experiencing his unexpected dissonances and rich harmonies in the piano while singing forth these achingly intense, sensitive, and expressive melodies is as close as one can get to the joy and despair of Piazzolla’s poignant and touching world. (J.E.P.)

3. Air, a CD music of Debussy & Takemitsu performed by flutist Joshua Smith, Yolanda Kondonassis, and Cynthia Phelps, viola, and the Oberlin 21 ensemble conducted by / Bridget-Michele Reischl. Just released on TelearcRecords CD 80694. Price not yet available. Purchase on-line at: http://www.telarc.com

The evocative musical worlds of Debussy and Toru Takemitsu complement each other well in terms of mood and aesthetic; and the three fine soloists on this recording are likewise a perfect match with their excellent blend of musicality, luscious tone, and intimate ensemble work. Three of the works on this album feature the clean and expressive harp playing by Kondonassis on major works, including Debussy’s Dances sacrée et profane for harp and string orchestra and Sonate for flute, harp and viola, and Takemitsu’s Toward the Sea. Smith displays his singing tone and expressive interpretations on Debussy’s Syrinx and Takemitu’s Air for solo flute. Cynthia Phelps, the principal viola of the New York Philharmonic, is equally well-known as a soloist and chamber music performer, and her sure technique and rich, vibrant sound adds sensitively to the voices of Kondonassis and Smith and shines on solo passages in Takemitsu’s And Then I Knew ‘Twas Wind. The engineering and production of this recording are first rate, with great resonance and a clear high definition digital sound.

Despite appearing on over 25 recordings and in a good number of live solo performances with the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra (where he was appointed principal flute in 1990 at the age of 20!), examples of Joshua Smith’s great virtuosity and delicate lyricism are not yet as widely available on solo flute recordings as they should be. This new CD should create a demand for more recordings featuring his full tone, elegant style, and outstanding technique. He reveals a distinctively poetic style and the ability to communicate emotionally in all his performances here.

You can find a list of his other solo recordings at his website: http://www.soloflute.com/home.html, download selections here: http://www.powellflutes.com/studio/studio_t3/studio_search.asp?a=artist&ArtistID=100, and learn more about his activities on a very interesting personal blog: http://www.soloflute.blogspot.com/ (J.E.P.)

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