Album Reviews:

This is a series of absorbing guitar duets between the innovative Muthspiel and the much-travelled American Goodrick, and both men's penchant for pushing their material into new areas is well to the fore. The playing of both men is filled with delicacy, twists and turns, and often verges on the impressionistic. This is open and inventive jazz.

John Coltrane: Soultrane (Poll Winners Records) 9.99

Here's the the great man on the cusp of his most influential period, caught on two late '50s' albums attractively repackaged into a CD that is a joy from beginning to end. Coltrane is utterly commanding on tenor, working his way with tremendous passion and invention through a programme of standards and blues, aided and abetted by the Miles Davis rhythm section of the time, along with guitarist Kenny Burrell and painist Tommy Flanagan. Utterly indispensible jazz. AV

Chopin: Nocturnes Calope CAL 3351.2 (2CDs) 19.99

Among the flood of releases to mark Chopin's bicentenary, Pascal Amoyel's recording of the complete Nocturnes is very special. Graced by lyrical sensitivity, sleepy reverie and poetic beauty, every-changing mood is entirely captured without the need for today's fashionable histrionics. Amoyel's playing of is uncommon subtlety, clarity and refinement, the quiet passages magical and the more robust moments having a latent strength. The Berceuse comes as a welcome bonus.

Brahms: Violin Sonatas Sony 88697623842 13.99

Three long love letters expressed with passionate affection and high emotion. Maybe not Brahms's idea, but that is how the sonatas emerge from the violinist, Jack Liebeck (see today's Classical Preview). Wearing his heart on his sleeve, and with richness, warmth and honeyed tone, these romantic and highly distinctive performances are played with flawless confidence, and I much commend them to you. He has a perfect rapport with former Leeds Piano Competition prizewinner, Katya Apekasheva.