Classical Favourites from Russia

"Big works made small". Those four words completely capture the essence of this amazing album of arrangements for two violins by David Brooker. It harks back to the days before sound recording when many people could only experience the major composers' orchestral music in reductions for chamber ensembles; indeed, many composers made such arrangements themselves. These arrangements will both entertain and challenge intermediate to advanced players but the technical problems are designed to be approachable and enjoyable rather than daunting.

The contents cover a wide range of Russian romantic music from the 19th and 20th centuries, taking in the ultimate lyricism of Borodin's Nocturne, through the fireworks of Khachaturian's Sabre Dance to the musical athletics of Prokofiev's Dance of the Knights, better known these days as the theme tune to "The Apprentice". The arrangements would be ideal pieces to open or close a violin lesson; even more so as an unexpected encore in an informal concert. Eleven full-length arrangements of well-known pieces make this album fantastic value for money.