Best of Classical Music

Born in Kaganawa Prefecture, Naoko Terai began practicing the violin at the age of four. In 1986, she made her professional debut as a jazz player and gradually her talent and sense of music drew attention of the other jazz musicians. In 1995, a pianist, Kenny Barron invited her to join the recording of his album, “Things Unseen”, which was release in November 1997 on Polydor Records. She tool part on an increasingly broad range of musical activities, performed in many live houses and joined the recordings of a number of albums as a guest player.

Respectfully known as the "king of light music,"Eric Coates was one of England's greatest composers. A prolific writer, Coates wrote pieces for orchestras, chamber groups, and solo pianists. In addition to penning more than 160 ballads, he composed numerous instrumental settings for the poetry of William Shakespeare and other British poets. His many radio themes included the theme of the popular BBC radio show Calling All Workers, which aired four times a day, five days a week. Coates made his orchestral debut in 1911 when his composition "Miniature Suite" was performed by the Queen's Hall Light Orchestra under the direction of Sir Henry Wood. Coates played viola with the orchestra during the premiere. Although he wrote his most enduring tune, "Stonecracker John," in 1909, Coates enjoyed a revival of his popularity in the late '20s when his songs "Birdsongs at Eventide" and "Homeward to You" became major hits. He remained active until shortly before his death in 1957, composing "The Dam Busters March" and "High Flight" for popular early-'50s films.