Windham Hill's
Adagio collection features classical masterworks as reinterpreted by the label's roster of instrumentalists. Tracks such as
Tracy Silverman and
Thea Suits' reinvisioned "Arioso" by
Bach,
Paul McCandless' version of "Ave Maria," and
Philip Aaberg's piano-driven interpretation of Barber's "Adagio for Strings" mix the pieces' timeless melodies and the performers' contemporary styles harmoniously and create an intriguing balance and blend of artistic identities. Some of the synth-based arrangements on the collection, such as Paul Schwartz's reworking of
Handel's "Sarabande" and
Patrick O'Hearn's take on
Joaquín Rodrigo's "Adagio From Fantasy for a Gentleman," sound a little cold and out-of-place, but
David Benoit's jazzy remake of
Brahms' "Intermezzo No. 6 From Fantasies for Piano" manages to take the piece in a relatively daring direction without sacrificing any of the melody's warmth. Not surprisingly, some of the most restrained performances on
Adagio: A Windham Hill Collection are among the best:
Mike Marshall and
Edgar Meyer's version of
Bach's "Prelude in C-Sharp Minor From the Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II" gets much of its loveliness from
Marshall and
Meyer's economical playing. Though it's not the most consistent of Windham Hill collections,
Adagio still has its fair share of worthwhile moments for fans of the artists included as well as open-minded classical music devotees. ~ Heather Phares