Favorite Flavors (Best Of) (CD - )

Personnel: Peter DeSotto (tenor, mandolin, violin); George Meanwell (guitar, mandolin, cello); Claudio Vena (viola, accordion); Kristina Reiko Cooper (cello); Alexander Sevastian (accordion); Cynthia Steljes (oboe); Roberto Occhipinti (double bass).

Signing to Koch Records' classical subsidiary Linus in 2005, Toronto-based chamber music experimentalists Quartetto Gelato reissued several older albums as well as the comprehensive career overview Favorite Flavors: Best of Quartetto Gelato. Gathering tracks from all stages of the quartet's decade-plus lifespan, Favorite Flavors ranges from the delicate folk-pop of "Words That I Want," written by guitarist and cellist George Meanwell, through chamber music rearrangements of familiar European pop tunes like "Besame Mucho" and "La Vie en Rose" to several light classical pieces featuring violinist Peter DeSotto's light but pleasant tenor. Quartetto Gelato make a virtue of eclecticism and most of their albums are as charmingly varied as Favorite Flavors, but this collection gathers most of the high points and works well as an introduction to the group. ~ Stewart Mason minimize