Stravinsky: Suite Italienne / Duo Concertant / Divertimento
These are Stravinsky's significant works for violin and piano, although  there are also a few small pieces and arrangements that might have been  included on the disc. The important work is the Duo Concertant, one of the most  severe and, paradoxically, moving works of Stravinsky's neoclassical period.  Since it's a true duo, we are fortunate to have Cho-Liang Lin partnered by the  excellent pianist André-Michel Schub, a Cliburn Competition gold medal winner.  Both musicians have deep insight into the music, and they play with the kind of  restrained passion it needs. They also do well with the other two pieces, both  Stravinsky reductions from orchestral suites based on the works of other  composers (Pergolesi and Tchaikovsky).--Leslie Gerber