Evening In Venice
Emile Pandolfi doesn't aspire to be the most acrobatic pianist in the world, but he might be the most romantic. OnEvening in Venice, he takes us back to his roots with a celebration of Italian music favorites. Most of these instrumentals derive from opera arias, perfectly arranged for Pandolfi's lyrical piano and light mandolin accompaniment. "Speak Softly Love" is one surprise here; it's the romantic theme fromThe Godfather. On timeless arias such as "O Sole Mio," Pandolfi's easy-listening performances prove to be both amorous and nostalgic. Granted, this is just mood music--the kind of easy-listening CD you play during a candlelight dinner, not during a long drive. That said, if you crave Italian, this disc is just the ticket.--Jason Verlinde