Album Reviews

Sarah Brightman `Symphony' EMI Classics

Sarah Brightman returns with ``Symphony,'' her first recording in five years. The all-time best-selling soprano brings an eclectic mix of gothic heavy metal and symphonic melodies.

It begins with a powerfully rhythmic intro track ``Gothica'' that feeds right into ``Fleur du Mal,'' which was inspired by Baudelaire's poem.

In stark contrast are the romantic pieces ``Storia d'Amore'' and ``Schwere Traume,'' which is based on the Adagio movement of Mahler's 5th Symphony.

With Andrea Bocelli she sings ``Canto Della Terra,'' a somewhat washed down version of their hit duet ``Time to Say Goodbye.''

While ``Symphony'' showcases an interesting dichotomy between metallic music and Brightman's delicate voice, its highly experimental nature may not suite all tastes.

- Lee Hyo-won

Berlin Philharmonic, Simon Rattle `Mussorgsky & Borodin' EMI Classics

This is the 2007 live recording of Berlin Philharmonic's festive year-end concert, which precedes the Vienna Philharmonic's New Year performance. It was broadcast live across Germany, Austria and Japan.

The 125-year-old German group, led by conductor Sir Simon Rattle, surprised the audience with an unconventional repertoire: Russia's representative pieces ``Pictures at an Exhibition'' by Mussorgsky (orchestration by Ravel) and ``Symphony No. 2'' and ``Polovtsian Dances'' by Borodin.

The orchestra gives flight to these lively tunes, with symphonic grandeur and zestful precision.

The Russian nationalist musicians dubbed ``Moguchaya Kuchka'' (Mighty Little Heap) speak of worldly vices such as drinking, gambling and love, which Rattle saw as befitting for the end of the year festivities.