“I have not heard such a beautiful performance of the First Violin Concerto since Itzhak Perlman's 1982 EMI recording, and Ehnes enjoys the advantage of a more natural balance with the orchestra...Ehnes smoothes some of the First Sonata's ro…
“Few can rival Valery Gergiev's pedigree in Prokofiev's music, and he is palpably aware of how this score works in the theatre. His pacing of events is masterly, with plenty of verve and passion… what really impresses… is the tenderness and …
Right at the outset of this recital, as the violin floats softly into the opening measures of the Prokofiev D Major Sonata and soon thereafter darts away with butterfly-like skittishness, one can sense that this is Anne-Sophie Mutter in top form, pl…
"One of the most completely satisfying Prokofiev performances I have ever heard" --David Fanning, Gramophone Magazine "Kissin gives a virtuosic, dashing account of both concertos and is given highly sensitive and responsive support fr…
“Whatever conclusions one draws from a direct comparison between the two works, there is little doubt that Alban Gerhardt is equally committed to both. …he performs with consummate authority, pinpointing the vein of anxiety and uncertainty that lies…
“Andrew Litton is obviously in sympathy with this miraculous score, and he has coaxed playing of considerable warmth and character from his Bergen players.” --Gramophone Magazine, July 2007 While containing some of the most popular and attractive mu…
“And this is Ravel a performance that bristles both on the keyboard and in a series of fabulous orchestral solos… a lurid delight.” --BBC Music Magazine, July 2008 ***** “Yundi Li's performance of the Prokofiev, in its prodigious, unflagging pow…
“Making her virtuoso credentials clear throughout, Wang dismisses every difficulty with nonchalant ease...this is a talent with a vengeance, the youthful partnership with Dudamel is ideal and both performances, recorded in Caracas, are understandabl…
This release from the Mariinsky label features two of Prokofiev’s most popular works, the Piano Concerto No.3 and the Symphony No.5. “The two performances, concerto and symphony, are emphatically worth hearing, both being thrilling accounts of magni…
No comparisons listed because this 'Unknown Prokofiev' collection is more innovative than it looks: neither work is currently available in quite this form. The Op 58 Cello Concerto was meant for the West and has had a checkered history follo…
“[Lugansky delivers] the percussive clangour of the [Grieg] Finale's concluding bars with incredible bravado...This takes its place alongside the finest performances...The Grieg is also impressive. Lugansky gives a consummate account, one partic…
“Immediately [the Prokofiev] explodes into life with Lang Lang’s sparkling playing with seemingly boundless reserves of energy...Outstanding in the opening [of the Bartók] is Lang Lang’s rhythmic potency borders on the demonic...Under the baton of …
"The box set Great Piano Concertos has been produced to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Naxos and draws on their extensive catalogue of concerto recordings. The recording quality varies from the older 1980’s recordings but there are some good…
Steven Isserlis has earned a reputation as one of the foremost cellists of our day. At the same time he has become known for his ingenuity and innovation in programming, something which this disc is the perfect example of. It combines four works for…