TRACK LISTING 1. Your first word was light 2. The hour is striking so close above me 3. I love the dark hours of my being 4. I love you, gentlest of Ways 5. No one lives his life 6. His caring is a nightmare to us 7. Extinguish my eyes, I'll go on seeing you 8. Tears in Sleep 9. Memory 10. A Tale

Love Sublime is not an easy listen. Although Mehldau is known primarily as a jazz pianist, his compositions on this CD are somewhat in the vein of the Second Viennese School – Arnold Schönberg, Alban Berg and Anton Webern – although there is more tonality in his work. Not that there isn't a significant dose of discord either.

While technically and academically interesting, this does not make for a sound that is readily accessible. The kind of composition undertaken does follow various rules and patterns, although to the untrained ear it can sound aleatoric, with no discernible melody or even rhythm.

There will always be a market for this kind of thing, and for what it is, it isn't bad, but it's not going to appeal to most. Even among classical music fans, it will find only a small audience.

If the album does one thing, it confirms that Renée Fleming is a highly talented soprano who can sing just about anything you throw at her. Although she is better known for conventional operatic performances, she delivers a flawless recital, despite the demands placed on her by requirements for sudden and significant changes in pitch.

If you like Schönberg and his disciples, you'll probably enjoy this album. But if standard jazz and classical music is more your thing, best leave it alone.