An exciting development has taken place at Southwest Chamber Music. The Pasadena-based, two-time GRAMMY winning ensemble will now be offered through Naxos records. Its Cambria Master Recordings are of the finest quality and their recordings—like those of the Carlos Chavez Chamber music that won the Grammys–can be downloaded as tracks at 99 cents each (how useless) or as an album for as low as $7.99.
A question remains cogent to classical music: hearing the Southwest Chamber on recording is a wonderful opportunity to review their talent and high musicality, but still, live is best. They will be “live” at The Huntington Library in San Marino in the newly renovated loggia beginning July 11 with a program of the music of Puccini, Verdi and a special composition “Fiddle Suite for Erhu and String Quartet by Chen Yi. For the recordings, go to www.classicsonline.com. For the live performance call (800) 726-7147.