Reviews

As melodist extraordinaire Tchaikovsky’s writing lends itself particularly well to these entertainment-transcriptions, with the next memorable tune arriving before the music even has time to think about lulling… a spectacle of breathtaking pianism and exquisite detail. Goldstone’s modesty is disarming, whilst his technique and ear for the poetic phrase and dramatic flourish are almost second to none. Sound quality is excellent. In fact, the only bad thing about this disc is that it is officially the last one in the series.

Tchaikovsky asked friends and colleagues of his to make these transcriptions and without exception they are wonderful. You couldn’t do better than getting this disc by Anthony Goldstone… he has made a number of terrific recordings.

The great secret of the tireless missionary work of pianist Anthony Goldstone is magically [to] draw us into the detail of the music Great pianism and insight.. a glorious disc.

Brilliantly played … generously filled disc. Goldstone’s comprehensive and highly articulate booklet note is a model of its kind.

This ambitious recital by a young British virtuoso, captures him in both studio and concert performances. From the outset we feel the presence of an intelligent, controlled and searching pair of hands quite capable of imparting power as well as finesse. When Beville builds up his momentum [in Beethoven’s Op. 111], the surge becomes persuasively emphatic, the intimate moments eerily serene. The last movement [of the Schumann Fantasie] plays directly into Beville’s ardent hands, an apt gesture from one young poet to another.

Beville plays [the Boulez] brilliantly. . The Chopin Scherzo No 4 in E, which is the least stormy of the scherzos, is dispatched with a clean, deliberate approach that is tender, but rhythmically taut. Beville is never tempted to moon over any coloristic or sentimental elements of the music…..compared to Arrau, Ax or Rubinstein (as much as I revere the playing of those three), I did find Beville’s way with the score, in a word, refreshing. [In the Schumann] he delivers a bold and electrifying march through the second movement and an absolutely gorgeous and dramatic performance of the great slow finale. Beville wrote his own thoughtful and informative notes. Certainly, his is a career to keep an ear open for.

Beville is a thoughtful artist, whose accounts of each of the established masterpieces here are well worth hearing.

The songs and anthems of Peter Lea-Cox are eminently appealing. The cleanliness and purity of Lesley-Jane Rogers’s soprano is perfectly suited to the music she sings), while Jennie-Helen Moston accompanies with superb sensitivity. [Rogers] sustains the exposed, poignant lines of Afterwards (Hardy) stunningly. The recording is excellent, particularly when it comes to preserving the warmth of the piano. A most enjoyable disc.

Peter Lea-Cox is an accomplished composer … each one of these carefully crafted songs has its own individual charm and character … deeply attractive body of music. Performances are admirable… recording quality is also very good. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is a very attractive collection of songs and anthems that deserve to be included in the repertoire. As usual from Divine Art, the booklet is beautifully produced with notes by Lesley-Jane Rogers and Peter Lea-Cox together with full texts. The recording is excellent. Lesley-Jane Rogers’ … singing is often really lovely in the quieter and more gentle passages. I do urge all those interested in English song and church anthems to hear this disc.

Will appeal to listeners who enjoy the vocal music of composers such as Gerald Finzi and John Ireland, the emphasis being on a sensitive fusion of words and music. I enjoyed the ‘Collected Songs’ best of all. Lesley-Jane Rogers gives an outstanding account of these songs. The accompanist Jennie-Helen Moston makes a valuable and sympathetic contribution. The sound quality is ideal. Explore slowly and enjoy the diversity on offer here.

These typically English songs are solid anthems and well suited for church services

The music is tonal and attractive … generally in a lyrical and romantic vein. Sound quality, presentation and notes are all to be commended, resulting in a very good disc of enjoyable music and sound interpretation.

[Jennings] writes serious, well-structured music and the interesting pieces on this disc are moving and emotionally satisfying. James Willshire is a fabulous pianist whose runs are as smooth as creamery butter. He has a wide dynamic range and a full palette of tonal and emotional color too. The sound on this disc is excellent and it contains music that most certainly deserves a wider hearing.

This is an aptly named CD… intended to instil a sense of delight in the listener. Divine Art’s engineers have contrived to present the pianists in an acoustic that is warm and resonant, albeit with no loss of detail. ‘Delicias’ is a more refined treat, more savoury than sweet. Goldstone and Clemmow don’t miss a trick and the playing … is precise without becoming pedantic. There is abundant colour in their pianism too. Outstanding pianism

As to chamber music this has to be the CD of the year and, perhaps, many years to come.  It is a delightful double disc of unusual piano trios, beautifully played and very well recorded. The playing … is sumptuous; the texture superb; the balance impeccable and we are in the presence of three amazing musicians. They are not out to be showmen but to be faithful to the music which they are. This is the chamber music disc of the year. You will lose out if you do not buy it. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

This pair of discs on the Divine Art label brings together four consistently attractive works that defy the fashion of their times in adopting a firmly tonal idiom and conventional musical structures. William Hurlstone was a short-lived composer of great promise who died in 1906 when barely 30. His Piano Trio is immaculately constructed, using […]

Here is a highly attractive quartet of early 20th-century piano trios, all written in a Romantic vein, by little-known composers from four countries: England, Australia, France, and Sweden. Individually [the instrumentalists] are all highly accomplished artists; collectively they make a tightly-knit and musically unified team. Brockman’s cello playing in particular I find mesmerizing; it reminds me of Jacqueline du Pré for her big, swashbuckling sound and passionate intensity. The acoustic setting is full and spacious, and serves the musicians well as they all have highly appealing sounds. Whether or not you are on the lookout for something new and different, this release is a top recommendation.

This new disc has something of an international flavour with composers from Britain, Australia, France and Sweden. There is playing of much warmth and understanding from the Trio Anima Mundi… terrifically fine playing. This is a fascinating and rewarding disc… The recording is excellent. There are informative booklet notes by the trio’s pianist, Kenji Fujimura.

William Hurlstone’s Trio … as memorable and perfectly proportioned as anything by Brahms. I eagerly await … future albums, meanwhile strongly recommending this release to lovers of fine playing and unjustly neglected repertoire.