The Classical Collection

West-East musical projects are very much of the moment. The Waltz: ecstasy and mysticism (Archiv 477 5420 ) has the lively, if relatively urbane, Concerto Köln alternating or combining with the Turkish folk group Sarband in performances that more often than not reflect the spirit of Islam. Turkish composers of the 19th century such as Dede Efende and Cantemir are deliciously juxtaposed with Mozart, Beethoven and Lanner, played sometimes "straight", at other times with Ottoman ingredients - a moreish menu, pungent and very exciting to listen to.

Kronos are no strangers to such collaborations, though I suspect their new album You've Stolen My Heart (Nonesuch 7559 798 562 ) will top all predecessors in the popularity stakes. The seductive twists and turns that characterise the work of the Bollywood composer Rahul Dev Burman inspire an idiomatic-sounding response from Kronos, supported by Burman's wife, the singer Asha Bhosle, and a kaleidoscopic array of percussion.

Steve Reich and Musicians, Live 1977 (Orange Mountain Music/New Note OMM0018 ) recalls the percussive musics of Africa and Bali, particularly the fourth part of Drumming, though the highlights of this fabulous minimalist programme are Six Pianos and Music for Pieces of Wood. Appropriate that the venue was The Kitchen, in New York, as the playing really cooks, with energy levels that, once it's all over, will leave you slumped, exhausted. We're also given Violin Phase (Shem Guibbory) and the weirdly doleful Pendulum Music.

A somewhat calmer synthesis comes with John Cage: Early Piano Music (ECM 476 1515 ), whose mostly meditative "The Seasons" was stimulated by the works of a Sri Lankan art historian. Cage was also much influenced by Erik Satie and the effect of his work relies, as does Satie's, on patience, precision timing and a consistently sensitive touch. Pianist Herbert Henck delivers handsomely on all three counts, especially for the 13-minute piece In a Landscape, surely among Cage's most appealing early essays, probably best heard when sitting alone with one's powers of concentration fully engaged.

r.cowan@independent.co.uk