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Perpetual Motion | 
 enlarge | Artists: Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Evelyn Glennie, Joshua Bell, Gary Hoffman, John [guitar] Williams, Domenico Scarlatti, Johann Sebastian Bach, Claude Debussy, Fryderyk Chopin, Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky, Johannes Brahms, Niccolo Paganini, Ludwig Van Beethoven
Label: Sony
Category: Music
List Price: $17.98
Buy New: $14.99
You Save: $2.99 (17%)
New (33) Used (13) from $7.49
Rating:  44 reviews
Sales Rank: 4889
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 89610
UPC: 696998961029
EAN: 0696998961029
ASIN: B00005OSX6
Release Date: October 2, 2001
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Tracks:
| • | Scarlatti: Keyboard Sonata in C Major K. 159 | | • | Bach: Two-Part Invention No. 13 | | • | Debussy: "Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum" from Children's Corner | | • | Chopin: Mazurka in F-sharp Minor | | • | Bach: "Prelude" from Partita No. 3 for Solo Violin | | • | Chopin: Etude in C-sharp Minor | | • | Chopin: Mazurka in F-sharp Minor | | • | Bach: Three-Part Invention No. 10 | | • | Tchaikovsky: Melody in E-flat | | • | Brahms: "Presto in G-Minor I after Bach" | | • | Bach: "Prelude" from Suite for Unaccompanied Cello 1 | | • | Bach: Three-Part Invention No. 15 | | • | Paganini: Moto Perpetuo | | • | Scarlatti: Keyboard Sonata in D Minor K. 213 | | • | Bach: Two-Part Invention No. 6 | | • | Beethoven: "Adagio sostenuto" from "Moonlight" Sonata | | • | Bach: Two-Part Invention No. 11 | | • | Beethoven: Seven Variations on "God Save The King" | | • | Bach: Three-Part Invention No. 7 | | • | Paganini: Moto Perpetuo (Bluegrass version) |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Bela Fleck is one of the greatest five-string banjo players performing today. Beginning in the 1970s, he honed his lightning-fast chops performing bluegrass, then moved on to contemporary jazz and fusion sounds. With this album, he broadens his horizons once again by performing an entire program of classical music transcriptions. Reminiscent of classical guitar albums by John Williams (who makes a guest appearance here), the disc traverses a wide range of repertoire--from Chopin mazurkas to Bach's Two and Three Part Inventions. Throughout, Fleck displays a feathery touch on his banjo, and his instrument offers a pleasant, brassy tone with very little twang. The technique he displays on Perpetual Motion is astounding and a refreshing change of pace from the smooth grooves found on the banjoist's Flecktones recordings. The arrangements are generally minimalist and understated, but violinist Joshua Bell, bassist Edgar Meyer, mandolinist Chris Thile, and percussionist Evelyn Glennie join in on this groundbreaking disc. Bluegrass purists may be disappointed (this is a far cry from the free-spirited, folksy abandon found on Sony's Short Trip Home and Appalachian Journey CDs), but classical fans will be astounded by how perfectly natural Fleck's banjo sounds on these works. --Jason Verlinde
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| Customer Reviews: Read 39 more reviews...
 Masterpiece.... September 1, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
What else can you say - Bela fleck is a natural phenomenon and has created one of the most bewilderingly impressive feats on a banjo you will ever hear. The album is simply a masterpiece. I watched this live many years ago and was amazed - a life changing performance. Who would have ever thought you could accomplish this with a banjo - Another impressive aspect of Bela Fleck is that he has somehow managed to memorize most of the masterpieces on this album, and to see it live is mind boggling. This is a once in a lifetime performance by one of the most talented musicians to ever live. It's a privilege to have been able to experience it and I highly recommend the album, especially to Bach and Beethoven fans - you will be blown away.
Amazing and beautiful January 2, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Fleck's 2001 disc `Perpetual Motion' is by far his most ambitious foray into virtuosity, performing classical works by Bach, Scarlatti and Chopin.
And he does it without really showing off. He only tackles mazurkas, fugues and Bach classical inventions on the five-string banjo, a simple instrument for which this music was never conceived.
I once flirted with playing the banjo, and it wasn't an easy task, even trying to play 'Uncle Pen'.
But the man must be possessed to play it like Bela does. Alternating between delicate and complicated, slow to fast, Fleck gets about as much out of the humble banjo as anyone possibly could. He plays it precisely and with a light touch, with respect for the music and his instrument.
Some reviewers think it pretentious of Fleck to attempt a banjo foray into the classical genre. That's bunk. How is virtuosity measured, after all? By playing many genres: classical, bluegrass, pop, jazz, Indian, fusion. And by playing them well.
Fleck wasn't awarded a Grammy for this recording just by looking pretty. He earned it.
Another Bela Fleck Masterpiece! September 17, 2006
Who knew there could be classical banjo. It may sound dumb to some of you, but Bela Fleck pulls it off perfectly. I prefer the jazz fusion of his work with the Flecktones, but that does not mean this is not brilliant. Technically speaking, Bela and all of his collaborators are the best around, and who can argue with the songwriting of the classical composers(no one openly insults Mozart). If you haven't heard Bela Fleck, here's some advice. Get one of his Flecktones albums if you're into jazz, rock, or funk, this if you like classical, and his Newgrass Revival, Strength in Numbers, or Sam Bush stuff if you're a bluegrass fan.
Definitely a Winner July 5, 2006
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
It is apparent to my ears why this CD won a Grammy. It takes familiar classical music pieces and puts the distinct Bela Fleck style on them. The pairing of the banjo with different instruments makes this album texturally interesting for the ear and one does not tire of the selections, even if they are familiar. My favorite pairing is the marimba with the banjo. The liner notes are interesting, as is Bela's story on how difficult it was to make the album. It was definitely worth his time and the listener's .
Soul Food January 30, 2006
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
This is exquisite! The best of human experience encoded on a simple CD disk.
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