Classical

LEGRAND: Piano & Cello Concertos (Sony 88985393722)

LIKE many film composers, Michel Legrand hid his classical inclinations behind a bland facade. He was 84 when he played his Piano Concerto for this recording in September, but his fingers were still in terrific shape. The Cello Concerto was written for Henri Demarquette, who plays it with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France under the superb Finnish conductor Mikko Franck. Legrand was a pupil of Nadia Boulanger and his Piano Concerto is a little reminiscent of Poulenc, Milhaud and Prokofiev. The five-movement Cello Concerto is beautifully played by all concerned and the entire CD is a treat.

MICHAEL SPYRES: Espoir (Opera Rara ORR251)

THE glut of fine operatic tenors owes much to the U.S. and Michael Spyres is one of the best. Here, he essays horrendously difficult arias associated with Gilbert Duprez, with Carlo Rizzi conducting the Hallé nicely. The Missouri tenor offers four arias by Donizetti, two by Halevy and one each by Rossini (from his Otello), Verdi, Auber and Berlioz. Available from Opera Rara’s website ( opera-rara.com) until September, when it goes on general release.