Saint Just

Saint-Germain-des-Prés Café is a series of nu-jazz compilations distributed by Wagram Music. Its name evokes the cafés of the area in Paris associated with the existentialism movement.
Saint Germain des Pres Cafe, Vol. 4 offers stylish, laid-back electronica influenced by hip-hop and jazz, particularly on Slow Train's bittersweet "Naturally" and Nathan Haines' cheeky "Squire for Hire." The collection features several of the leading lights of electro-jazz, including such standout tracks as Nicola Conte's "Fuoco Fatuo," Koop's "Tonight (Nicola Conte New Jazz Version)," Kruder & Dorfmeister's "High Noon," and Matthew Herbert's "Suddenly." Cuts by Loopless, Paul Hunter, and Nicolette round out this smoothly eclectic collection, which manages to be more than just fashionable sonic wallpaper.

This generously programmed disc provides excellent value and outstanding performances of both major and lesser-known masterpieces of French choral music. The Fauré Requiem has been recorded many times, and several excellent versions of the original orchestration are available on disc. This one is among them, owing to John Eliot Gardiner's experience and perfectionist mastery of details overlooked by less-successful choral conductors. The real bonus here is the inclusion of the popular but very difficult Debussy and Ravel chansons, and the rarely heard but eminently worthy little part songs by Saint-Saëns. These pieces are a lesson in how to achieve maximum effect with the simplest materials.

'Concerto!' was a Channel Four TV series that showed participating soloists in rehearsal, in conversation with Dudley Moore and Michael Tilson Thomas and, ultimately, in performance, which resulted in several recordings, of which this is one. This disc is recommendable not so much for Steven Isserlis's Cello Concerto – smooth and intelligent as that is – as for the fillups. The swan has Moore and Tilson Thomas as joint accompanists, elegantly executed, but the items with Pascal Devoyon are especially valuable, the First Cello Sonata full of elegantly tailored drama, the two Romances, Chant saphique and Gavotte palpable charmers, tastefully played; and the headstrong, thematically memorable Allegro appassionato, one of the finest shorter pieces in the cellist's repertory. .

This ambitious project consists of a recording of the complete music for violin and orchestra and cello and orchestra by Saint-Saëns. It marks the beginning of an intensive collaboration between Zig-Zag Territories and the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel.