the booklet's claim to the contrary, these two concertos have nothing in common except fiendishly difficult bravura solo parts; rather, they represent a perfectly valid pairing of opposites. Bell makes the most of the contrasts, bringing out each work's idiomatic character. The Sibelius, from the eerily icy opening to the exuberant ending, is heavy, rugged, austere, majestic, expansive, with grand, intense climaxes. The Goldmark has a Hungarian flavor with its romantic, melancholy lyricism, poetic, almost religious inwardness, charm, and vitality. Bell's effortless virtuosity is unlimited but entirely unobtrusive; his intonation is perfect, the passage-work crystal clear. He seems incapable of producing a bad sound, even in double and trip...  (less)

Bells, Silent Night, What Child is This?, etc: 2006 Edition, Brand New and in Wrappers: Quantity available - 4 sets 2006: Wonderful Collection every family should own.Holiday Classics: Beautiful Arrangements of Traditional Holiday Favorites Benefiting the Toys for Tots Program. 2 CD-ROMs. Disk 1: Angels We Have Heard On High, Little Drummer Boy, The First Noel (Medley), Here we come a Caroling, Silent Night, O Holy Night, etc. Disk 2: O Come All Ye Faithful, Jingle Bells, Silent Night, What Child is This?, etc: 2006 Edition. Brand New in Wrappers. Quantity Availavle: 4 sets ASIN: B000W0541S Product Format: Audio CD  (less)