Christmas Piano Music / Various: CDs & Vinyl

Most of this disc is taken up with Liszt'sChristmas Tree, an unusually modest suite based on Christmas carols. It also offers charming pieces by Reger, Tchaikovsky, Rebikov, and Lyapunov based on Christmas themes, and a couple of Bach transcriptions. Eteri Andjaparidze, whose first CD was a sensational Prokofiev collection, plays this music truly superb musicianship and the kind of pianistic color that has become a rarity. HerJesu, Joy of Man's Desiringis the most beautiful I've heard since Dinu Lipatti's. And wait until you hear her delightful playing of Leroy Anderson'sSleigh Ride!It's deliciously witty and charming.--Leslie Gerber