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5 Stars: Favorites from the 5 Browns

Price: ~~$13.98~~

Sale: $8.94

Manufacturer: RCA

No Boundaries

Price: ~~$18.97~~

Sale: $6.99

Manufacturer: RCA

Description: This piano-playing team of five siblings could be easily dismissed as just another crossover ploy, but that would be a mistake. My initial surprise turned into an hour of pleasant listening and, on rehearings, to admiration for this unique ensemble of talented young artists. For one thing, they've got the chops to bring off some fiendishly difficult works. Listen to the way sisters Desirae and Deondra tackle modernist Witold Lutoslawski's Variations on a Theme of Paganini, or brother Ryan's colorful romp through Ginastera's tricky dance rhythms. The fivesome also achieve carefully balances in their concerted works, with a scrupulously turned version of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue and their arrangement of highlights from Stravinsky's Firebird. Those in doubt should hear tracks two through four, for irresistible versions of Lecouna's popular Malaguena, a fetching combination of Dvorak and Copland, and a piano rag by John Novacek. A delightful, spirited disc that never fails to please. --Dan Davis

Dreams of a World

Price: ~~$16.99~~

Sale: $10.98

Manufacturer: Teldec

Description: This disc is obviously aimed at the world-music audience, if one judges from its title and the subtitle, "Folk-Inspired Music for Guitar." But that shouldn't dissuade listeners interested in more serious music. Isbin has collected original pieces and arrangements from Spain, Latin America, Appalachia, Ireland, Israel, and Greece--all of them quite lovely. It's really amazing to hear, for example, the "Londonderry Air," better known as "Danny Boy," in such a sympathetic arrangement by the late Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu. She plays with such technical mastery that you wind up taking it for granted, while appreciating her songful delivery of this highly varied program of music, which was mostly first intended for the human voice. The uncommonly attractive booklet, including photos of Isbin as a world traveler, is another asset to this fine program, as is Teldec's realistic recorded sound. --Leslie Gerber

Ultimate Collection

Price: ~~$21.98~~

Sale: $13.49

Manufacturer: RCA

Description: This collection includes Ernesto Lecuona's complete 1954 recordings plus a series of 78s made in 1927-28. Ten of the recordings were previously unreleased. This is a lot of lightweight Cuban piano music to deal with at once, but it's definitely worth doing. Lecuona's music, which is having a major revival, may not be important. But it's consistently charming and entertaining. The 78s, which sound surprisingly good, reveal even more of a virtuoso than do the later recordings, but throughout we hear playing that expresses the spirit of the music extremely well. And yes, the famous Malagueña is here, sounding very sexy. --Leslie Gerber

Sentimiento Latino

Price: ~~$16.98~~

Sale: $9.74

Manufacturer: Decca

Description: This is Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Florez's first non-classical CD. He brings to the popular music of Latin America and Spain the same scrupulous musicianship, bright tone, and charm with which he approaches Donizetti and Rossini. Some of these songs are accompanied by full orchestra and some (such as "Ella" and "Mexico lindo y querido," for example) are with a shiny mariachi band, while a couple ("Fina stampa," "Bello Durmiente") have solo guitar as their backup. Florez has plenty of opportunity to show off his high notes--there are brilliant high Cs here and there--and his perfect vocal placement and portamento are most welcome. "Jurame," a sensual tango, is a fine example. While he can sing softly at times, Florez doesn't do quite enough with dynamics. A bit more variation would have been welcome, but he's very much in the spirit of this music. His "Granada" is stunning, and he gets the idiom of the "lounge music" numbers as well. His fans, and fans of music with this Latino tinge, will not be disappointed. --Robert Levine