Classical CD previews

JANUARY:Il divino Boemo Concerto Köln/Werner Ehrhardt Archiv Produktion 477 6418 "Il Boemo," the nickname of Josef Myslivecek (1737-1781), stemmed from the difficulties experienced in pronouncing his name by Italians, and Il divino Boemo, from a late-19th-century novelette.

Mozart was an admirer, and this new CD by Concerto Köln attests to an increasing band of like-minded folk in the 21st century.

Offenbach Romantique.

Jerome Pernoo (cello), Les Musiciens du Louvre/Marc Minkowski Archiv Produktion 477 6403 Offenbach, one of the cheekiest and most tuneful composers of the 19th century, gets the period- instruments treatment from Marc Minkowski and his Musiciens du Louvre.

FEBRUARY

Xenakis:Works for percussion Steven Schick (percussion), Percussion Ensemble red fish blue fish, and others mode 171-173 (3 CDs) This three-disc set brings together as a collection for the first time the percussion music of Iannis Xenakis, from solo pieces to ensemble works. The dramatic solo pieces in particular are among the most rivetting works of the 20th century.

MARCH

Mozart am Stein vis-à-vis Harmonia Mundi HMC 901941 Andreas Staier, Christine Schornsheim Staier and Schornsheim explore Mozart's rich legacy of four-handed keyboard music on a double-ended 18th-century instrument.

Unpublished Live and Radio Performances 1986-2001 Alfred Brendel (piano) Philips 475 8322 (2 CDs) This personal choice from his BBC recitals by Alfred Brendel includes a rare opportunity to hear the great man playing Chopin.