Béla Fleck - Perpetual Motion

Performers: Béla Fleck, Chris Thile, Edgar Meyer, Evelyn Glennie, Gary Hoffman, John Williams, Joshua Bell

1. Scarlatti: Keyboard Sonata in C Major K. 159 2. Bach: Two-Part Invention No. 13 3. Debussy: "Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum" from Children's Corner 4. Chopin: Mazurka in F-sharp Minor 5. Bach: "Prelude" from Partita No. 3 for Solo Violin 6. Chopin: Etude in C-sharp Minor 7. Chopin: Mazurka in F-sharp Minor 8. Bach: Three-Part Invention No. 10 9. Tchaikovsky: Melody in E-flat 10. Brahms: "Presto in G-Minor I after Bach" 11. Bach: "Prelude" from Suite for Unaccompanied Cello 1 12. Bach: Three-Part Invention No. 15 13. Paganini: Moto Perpetuo 14. Scarlatti: Keyboard Sonata in D Minor K. 213 15. Bach: Two-Part Invention No. 6 16. Beethoven: "Adagio sostenuto" from "Moonlight" Sonata 17. Bach: Two-Part Invention No. 11 18. Beethoven: Seven Variations on "God Save The King" 19. Bach: Three-Part Invention No. 7 20. Paganini: Moto Perpetuo (Bluegrass version)

Bela Fleck is one of the greatest five-string banjo players performing today. Beginning in the 1970s, he honed his lightning-fast chops performing bluegrass, then moved on to contemporary jazz and fusion sounds. With this album, he broadens his horizons once again by performing an entire programme of classical-music transcriptions. Reminiscent of classical-guitar albums by John Williams (who makes a guest appearance here), the disc traverses a wide repertoire--from Chopin mazurkas to Bach's Two and Three Part Inventions. Throughout, Fleck displays a feathery touch on his banjo, and his instrument offers a pleasant, brassy tone with very little twang. The technique he displays on Perpetual Motion is astounding and a refreshing change of pace from the smooth grooves found on the banjoist's Flecktones recordings. The arrangements are generally minimalist and understated, but violinist Joshua Bell, bassist Edgar Meyer, mandolinist Chris Thile and percussionist Evelyn Glennie join in on this ground-breaking disc. Bluegrass purists may be disappointed, but classical fans will be astounded by how perfectly natural Fleck's banjo sounds on these works. --Jason Verlinde

Price: $22.98