Paul Ness, BSM Board President and Pianist As a pianist and avid music fan, Paul's "taste in music is decidedly classical." He listens to recordings of all types of works including solo, orchestral, chamber, choral, and opera. Paul enjoys comparing different performer interpretations and often listens to "alternative performances of the same pieces." He tends to work with music quietly in the background and favors listening to radio (or internet) stations "because there are often surprises." In addition to discovering new artists and works on the radio, Paul particularly enjoys the works of J.S. Bach. "I never tire of Bach, either playing, singing, or listening to his music." Paul's list of recommended albums includes some unusual recordings of classic works like Bach's cello suites played on the double bass and some lesser-known works such as Menotti's violin concerto. What's on Paul's iPod/cd player? Artists: Martha Argerich & Andre Rabinovitch Album: Brahms: Haydn Variations; Waltzes; Sonata in F minor Why Paul likes this particular artist/album: "I really enjoy the two piano versions of these works. I find it interesting that these compositions predated the final, more familiar chamber and orchestral versions. Happily, Brahms did not destroy these compositions as he did some other early versions of his works. Favorite track(s) on the album: Tracks 1-9, Variations on a Theme by Haydn, and Tracks 11-14, Sonata for Two Pianos in F minor. Artist: Edgar Meyer Album: Bach Unaccompanied Cello Suites: Performed on Double Bass Why Paul likes this particular artist/album: This recording features three of Bach's great suites written originally for solo cello. Edgar Meyer transcribed the pieces for bass and Suites 1, 2, and 5 are on this recording. Artist: Jennifer Koh and the Spoleto Festival Orchestra conducted by Richard Hickox Album: Menotti: Violin Concerto, The Death of Orpheus Why Paul likes this particular artist/album: "The Menotti violin concerto is one of those pieces I discovered through my radio listening. I heard it and just had to go out and get it right away." This recording features a live performance. Favorite track(s) on the album: Tracks 1-3, Concerto for Violin and Orchestra by Gian Carlo Menotti. Artist: Vladimir Feltsman/Glenn Gould Album: Bach: Goldberg Variations / A State of Wonder: The Complete Goldberg Variations (1955 & 1981) Why Paul likes this particular artist/album: These two albums contain three different interpretations of Bach's keyboard masterpiece, The Goldberg Variations. The Feltsman recording is of a live performance from the pianist's return to the Moscow Conservatory after being exiled in 1987. A State of Wonder features two performances by Glenn Gould, his 1955 recording debut and his final recording, 26 years later. The three-disc set includes Gould discussing his performance of the piece along with outtakes from the 1955 recording session.