asin: B000003FIX binding: Audio CD list price: $10.98 USD amazon price: $9.99 USD

Lalo's Symphonie Espagnole is a riot of instrumental color and virtuoso challenges; exactly Jascha Heifetz's piece of cake, as are Saint-Saëns's Havanaise, Chausson's Poème and Sarasate's Zigeunerweise (Gypsy Tunes). The sound is pre-stereo but well detailed. One movement of the Lalo is left out, but there are plenty of fireworks in the four that remain. --Joe McLellan

asin: B000HXDEVW binding: Audio CD list price: $16.98 USD amazon price: $16.98 USD

Although this CD's title, Simply Anne-Sophie, implies trifles, and the selection here, taken from the violinist's previous recordings, is not challenging, there's nothing simple about Mutter's virtuosity or commitment to the music. The Meditation from Thais is ravishing, "Summertime" sings as it should, the Four Seasons excerpt is fresh and dashing, the Rondeau from Mozart's Third Concerto is filled with energy, and the Adagio from the Fifth is warm and meltingly played.