Amadeus Press.

Amadeus Press

512 Newark Pomton Turnpike, Pomton Plains, NJ 07444

$24.95 each www.amadeuspress.com

Two outstanding DVD performances are top picks for any fan of classical music who wishes to capture the life performance feel in their living room. Nobilis Trio (HL0331682) presents a trio whose repertoire ranges from traditional to jazz. The trio has between widely recognized as one of the most exciting new trios, blending the power of violin, cello and piano with a precision which shines in DVD treatment, and their DVD provides the trio in concert along with an interview. The Elkina Piano Duo (HL00331684) are identical twins who have played together since the age of five. Their award-winning performances have earned them acclaim throughout Europe and the U.S. and this DVD performance captures the highlights of several performances, including an interview with Irina and Julia Elkina. In pairing interviews with performances, The Classical Hour At Steinway Hall creates a compelling, memorable viewing and listening experience. The Steinway Collection: Paintings Of Great Composers (1574671154, $22.00) holds gorgeous works available to the public for the first time, celebrating these classical composers through paintings by noted American artists and essays contributed by music critic James Gibbons Huneker. Steinway and Sons commissioned American artists to specially create paintings which would evoke musical connections: each full-page painting reproduction is accompanied by a lovely treatise celebrating each classical composer's works and style. M. Owen Lee's Great Instrumental Works: Unlocking The Masters (1574671170, $27.95) includes two full-length Naxos classical cds to accompany commentary on the works of some 50 selected composers. Biography blends well with critical assessment and even a dose of analyst/priest Father M. Owen Lee's humor, creating a lovely and unique survey which will make the perfect introduction for newcomers to classical music--and a good re-assessment for long-time fans.