Tharaud, who appeared in Amour (Love), by Michael Haneke, which won the Palme d'Or at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival, plays four soundtrack pieces from the movie: two Schubert Impromptus (No 1 and No 3), a Beethoven Bagatelle and a Bach-Busoni Prelude Choral BWV 639.
These are brief and three additional tracks are also short pieces, one by Schubert and two more Bagatelles by Beethoven. That makes just over 30 minutes' listening. Then two ''bonus'' tracks, eight minutes of French film dialogue, have been added. This is not ''minimalist'' in a music sense but a minimum outlook continues with just plastic-bag envelope packaging and no notes about the film, pianist or music. Tharaud is famed for his interpretations of French keyboard music, Bach and Chopin.
Verdict: Enthusiasts of the film may enjoy.
Alessandro Brustenghi, from the original friary founded by St Francis of Assisi, is the first friar to land a major record deal - but he will not accept money from its sales. His clean and pleasant voice is heard in 11 traditional and modern sacred songs, mostly in Latin, Italian or French, with orchestral backings.
Included are choral favourites: Faure's Cantique De Jean Racine, Franck's Panis Angelicus, Schubert's Ave Maria, and Mascagni's Sancta Maria. There are also good musical arrangements of poetry and prayers attributed to St Francis of Assisi - one in an original composition by Paul Mealor, composer for the last royal wedding. A song written by '60s singer-songwriter Donovan is Fratello Sole, Sorella Lun (Brother Sun, Sister Moon).
Highlight: Make Me a Channel of Your Peace, sung in English, appeals.
