The Year's Best LPs

CLASSICAL

J.S. BACH: MOTETS (Archiv, 2 LPs).

These sacred choral works number among Bach's most perfect compositions. Hanns-Martin Schneidt conducts instruments and the Regensburg Cathedral Choir, all in glistening voice.

BLACK COMPOSERS SERIES (Columbia, 4 LPs). The initial releases in an ambitious series take a kaleidoscopic look at the music of black composers, from the contemporary William Grant Still back to 18th century Classicist Chevalier de Saint-Georges.

ELLIOTT CARTER: STRING QUARTETS NOS. 2 AND 3 (Columbia). Individual instruments may go their own melodic way in Carter's complex auditory scenarios, but the Juilliard Quartet plays with single conviction.

CHARLES IVES: THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY

(Columbia, 5 LPs). His centenary is celebrated with a comprehensive package ranging from early songs to piano works with the composer at the keyboard.

MOZART: COSI FAN TUTTE (London, 4 LPs). An elegantly articulated, lyrical version of the Mozart confection with Sir Georg Solti conducting.

POP KEITH JARRETT SOLO-CONCERTS: BREMEN, LAUSANNE (ECM/Polydor, 3 LPs). From Jarrett's fingers flows richly melodic multifaceted music that gives the piano added luster.

ERIC CLAPTON: 461 OCEAN BOULEVARD (RSO). Old Slowhand can still raise up a musical inferno, though now he leans more to swinging blues.

JONI MITCHELL: COURT AND SPARK (Asylum). Continued exploration of the post-youth dilemma--the need for roots, the fear of commitment--by one of rock's classic stars.

MARIA MULDAUR: WAITRESS IN THE DONUT SHOP (Reprise). Muldaur reinvents torch singing and emerges as one of the '70s' most stylish pop singers.

YES: TALES FROM TOPOGRAPHIC OCEANS (Atlantic, 2 LPs). Bright aural mosaics from small motifs are constructed on a Mahlerian scale in this 80-minute work of symphonic rock.

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