Love songs accompanying Valentine's Day

Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Feb 8, 2003 by Carma WadleyDeseret News senior writer

MARVIN GOLDSTEIN, "Love Songs of the 20th Century Vol. 2" (MG Productions)*** 1/2

DAVID GLEN HATCH, "A Touch of Romance" (Covenant)*** 1/2

Hearts and flowers. Chocolates and Valentine's Day. Piano and love songs. They all go together quite naturally. So, if you are looking for some romantic piano music to listen to while you eat chocolates on this upcoming day of passion and posies, here are a couple of brand-new offerings.

-- If you thought Marvin Goldstein might have exhausted his love- song repertoire last year with a two-CD set of enduring tunes, you'd be wrong. He's back with another two-CD set, with 35 more piano arrangements all about love.

At his concerts, Goldstein jokes that he knows every song ever written. When you see the variety he covers here, you may think that's not so far-fetched. He does country. He does pop. He does Broadway show tunes and modern movie themes. He does the Beatles and Elton John. He does Rodgers & Hammerstein. And he does them all with his own grace and style.

Selections include everything from "Always On My Mind" to "Your Song" (and they are presented alphabetically, rather than being grouped chronologically or by genre, which makes for a nice mix), with "Could I Have This Dance," "The Long And Winding Road," and "Red Sails In The Sunset" in between.

Goldstein plays with emotion and feeling, as well as admirable technique, making this a collection that can be enjoyed on many different levels.

-- David Glen Hatch has gained international recognition as a performer, teacher and recording artist who has appeared with numerous chamber and symphony orchestras around the world. He brings that experience and skill to his latest collection of romantic songs, featuring both classical themes (Rachmaninoff's 18th Variation from Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini, Beethoven's Pathetique Sonata, 2nd movement) and show tunes ("My Heart Will Go On" from "Titanic," "Memory" from "Cats," "Theme From Ice Castles").

He brings in vocalist Erika Hogge for a couple of numbers ("Someone Like You" and "On My Own"). Her strong, clear voice adds both beauty and variety to the mix.

Hatch captures the romantic feeling well, adding sparkle and flair to these familiar songs. His "Starry Night" is particularly nice, as is the depth and flavor he brings to "Somewhere Out There," "If I Can't Love Her" (which also includes orchestration) and "People."

This is a collection that can take you well beyond this one day of hearts.

E-mail: carma@desnews.com