Violinist Joshua Bell recently admitted, "I don't particularly like studio recordings. It's not conducive to abandon which you need to have in music."

That abandon is evident in a recent recital NPR Music recorded with violinist Joshua Bell and pianist Jeremy Denk in Disney Hall in Los Angeles. Bell's signature warm violin tone is equally present in performances of Beethoven, Prokofiev, Tchaikovsky and Bartok.

Morning Edition Co-host Renee Montagne hosts this hour of music that also includes Bell's brief takes on the music heard throughout the program. His description of the Beethoven Violin Sonata No. 5 ("Spring") is an especially good set up.

The performances are strong throughout, especially Bell and Denk's exploration of Prokofiev's more intimate side in his rarely heard "Five Melodies." Other high points come in the 2nd Movement of Beethoven's "Spring" Sonata, and the violinist completely captures the gypsy spirit of Bartok's Rhapsody No. 1.

Smart, to the point scripting, a pleasing host presence and good flow throughout make this program highly suitable for evenings and weekend afternoon programming. The nature of the music, and the appropriate music to talk ratio, makes this program equally worth considering for weekday afternoons as well.

Minus a few, rare scratchy moments in the Beethoven Sonata's Third Movement, this is a compelling and enjoyable hour of music, and an excellent opportunity to promote and present "special" programming on your station with one of the world's most popular violinists.

Small point worth mentioning within the context of an all-Classical Music station or a classical music programming block: NPR Music's "Discoveries at Disney" Series opening theme and break music is not purely classical in sound, but still within the classical realm.