Steinway To Heaven: Keyboard Hall Of Fame CD

This is part of Magna Carta's Tribute To The Titans series.
Recording information: Cairo West Studios Novato, CA (01/19/1996-02/09/1996); Mad Hatter Studios, Los Angeles, CA (01/19/1996-02/09/1996); Track Records, North Hollywood, CA (01/19/1996-02/09/1996).
An interesting concept -- an album of classical piano pieces performed by rock keyboardists -- is nicely realized on this compilation. While the star power of prog rockers like Keith Emerson, Rick Wakeman, and Patrick Moraz doesn't hurt, the other tracks are rounded out by an assortment of talented session players and bandmembers. Moraz's track, an overly jerky rendition of Chopin's Military Polonaise, is the only real disappointment of the lot. Wakeman contributes a gentle Pathetique, and Emerson rightly takes top billing with an octave-bouncing roller-coaster ride through Ginastera's Dance Creole. Aside from some tasty jazz improvisation by Brian Auger over Fauré's Pavane, though, the performances here are surprisingly restrained and conservative. For classical listeners entering rock, or vice versa, it's a pleasant introduction to some of the finest works and musicians in these respective fields. ~ Paul Collins