Various Artists - My Playlist for Drawing & Painting - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Ensemble Perspectives, an a cappella vocal quintet founded and directed by Geoffroy Heurard, creates programmes that blend the mainstream classical repertory with lesser-known composers and folk and pop songs. These pieces are sung in transcriptions 'tailor-made' for Perspectives, which works with world-renowned arrangers and composers of all aesthetic persuasions. The group's new album, entitled Playlist, allows today's ears to grasp the timeless threads that link Purcell to Brahms, a traditional song to an American song crooned by entire generations. A playful and inspired journey through the music of Purcell (Dido's Lament), Brahms, Ravel and Fauré, traditional songs such as Joshua fit the battle of Jericho and Frère Jacques, and songs by Charlie Chaplin (Smile), Michel Legrand (La Chanson de Maxence), Paul Simon (Mrs. Robinson and 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover) and Tom Waits (Alice).

Knit one, purl one... and press play on this album of specially picked classical works, stitched together to create a musical tapestry of pieces to sew and knit to. Lay out a pattern for a New Dress with Waxman, thread The Sewing Machine with Ibert, cross and twist the bobbins on the lace pillow with Johann Strauss I and prime The Darning-Needle with Boris Tchaikovsky. From the sublime Fantasia on Greensleeves by Vaughan Williams to the delightful Valse from Coppélia by Delibes, this playlist is the perfect accompaniment to needlework.

Wooden spoons at the ready! Turn the oven on, weigh out the sugar and immerse yourself in a feast of classical music - from Tchaikovsky's enchanting Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy to Clara Schumann's delicious Notturno. Perhaps you fancy making a sweet French Pastry with Hayman, baking a pie with Bax - or maybe even conjuring up a wedding cake with Saint-Saëns? Whatever you're baking, this album will serve as the perfect accompaniment to your culinary creativity.