WHAT'S ON

Northern Sinfonia and Chorus, conductor Thomas Zehetmair, Bach's Mass in B Minor, Sage Gateshead, 7.30pm tonight. Soloists: tenor James Gilchrist, soprano Joanne Lunn, countertenor Robin Blaze and baritone Peter Harvey. 0191-433 4661.

REVIEWS

Ann Sofie von Otter: Bach Arias (Archiv 477 7467)

von Otter's commitment to Baroque music radiates. Alto and soprano arias include the moving Erbarme Dich from the St Matthew Passion and Agnus Dei from the B minor Mass. A real treat.

Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela: Fiesta (DG477 8337)

Gustavo Dudamel and the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela celebrate the best in Latin American music in this thrilling recording featuring catchy rhythms and blazing colours. It includes contrasting showpieces from the Stravinsky-like drive of Revuelta's Sensemaya to the vibrant ballet suite, Estancia, by Ginastera.

Polished and appealing performances.

Emerson String Quartet: Intimate Letters (DG477 8093)

The quartet's natural affinity with Czech chamber music is showcased in this presentation of Janacek's String Quartets Nos 1 and 2 Intimate Letters and Janacek's Three Madrigals for Violin and Viola.

Segovia: The American Decca Recordings, Vol 1 (DG 477 8133)

The acclaimed guitarist Andres Segovia recorded a series of highly-prized albums for the American Decca label in the 1940s and 50s. This box offers the first six albums in this now legendary series. They have been lavishly presented time with their original couplings and their original LP-sleeve artwork. Brilliantly remastered from the original tapes. Segovia performs works from a wide range of composers including Albéniz, Granados,Torroba, Tarrega, Mendelssohn, Handel, Chopin and Haydn. Hours of listening pleasure. A fitting tribute to a musical giant.