Reviews

Rock solid technique… totally attuned to both the core style of the repertoire and equally at ease with one-minute bon-bons or large-scale sonatas. This empathy extends beyond the performances to include some of the most interesting and best written performer liner notes that I have read. Ravishing filigree writing, that Goldstone plays with artless ease and the subtlest rubato – this really is a masterclass in the playing of this style of music. A superb conclusion to a triumphant series of discs in which Mr Goldstone can take enormous pride. Bravo!

[Arensky’s] music, that includes symphonies, concertos, chamber and instrumental pieces is extremely well crafted, and a strong melodic vein is a constant feature. The piano works that make up this issue reveal a master miniaturist. Many of the pieces last just over a minute, but their idiomatic timbre and graceful subtlety make them highly attractive creations. As in the previous recordings, Anthony Goldstone’s love for this music is all too apparent, and his advocacy for these Arensky gems is splendidly accurate and spontaneous. That emotional touch is not amiss either. This is an exciting and wonderful conclusion to an innovative series

[Arensky’s] music is enjoyable, well crafted, melodic and not without charm… there is much that is very beautiful and nothing falls short of elegant.. [Goldstone] is dramatic and modern in sound. Goldstone is a wonderful interpreter and people enamored of the piano will be considerably poorer if they do not invest in this.

Goldstone infused each piece in this wide-ranging recital with an almost choreographic sense of its expressive (as well as structural) potentialities and continuity. Typically Goldstone uncovers some rarities along the way. Highly recommended.

Goldstone is an artist of real substance. I was not convinced by the idea of this collection to begin with, but ended up being won over by the combination of Goldstone’s artistry, imaginative programming, and the rare distinction of Curcio’s own playing. Recommended.

The works are all connected to [Maria] Curcio. The programming is effective, in any case, irrespective of its source of inspiration. [The Liszt] is played with élan… A mature reading of Chopin’s Polonaise. [In the Casella,] the characterisation is strong, faster and slower variations are well handled and the music is stirring. Goldstone measures and calibrates … Villia-Lobos’s Choro no. 5 with precision. To finish with there is a bonus track which features Curcio herself, playing marvellously… It ends the recital on a poignant yet uplifting note.

A lovely tribute to Goldstone’s beloved teacher. Goldstone’s playing is all one could ask for – sensitive, well-shaped, feelingful and effortlessly virtuosic. He is playing a marvellous piano.. all recorded magnificently. Strongly recommended

Without a doubt [the organ Symphony] is John Ellis’s masterwork and the more I have heard it the more it surprises and amazes me. Any organist interesting in something new and challenging should track it down. Robin Walker is a marvellous advocate… he handles the instrument superbly. The accompanying booklet is a model of its kind. It possesses succinct but useful comments on the music as well as biographies of both the composer and performer.

The music has a distinctive, pleasantly astringent, quality… the organ sounded well… and Robin Walker is a convincing advocate, both of the organ and the music.

This is, unequivocally, one of the most enjoyable Bach recordings to come my way recently. Hamilton and the Frobenius … are perfectly attuned to the repertoire: a Bachian journey of pure, almost chamber intimacy.

[Hamilton] is a very fine advocate for this music. {His} tempos are spot-on… all in all Hamilton proved to be a very fine guide, one who highlights the intricacies of these works, often illuminating them in new ways. For a truly enjoyable experience of some great Bach organ works, this recording is as wonderful for novices as for experts.

This beautifully recorded CD shows David Hamilton in his element… one of the most exquisite sounding organs I have heard of late. I could not stop playing [it] over and over again. Hamilton uses the Kirk organ’s tonal palette quite magically and Divine Art’s recording is admirable in its clarity. Hamilton is the real deal if you want to listen to a truly original Bach recital. Most strongly recommended.

This gets into the Christmas supplement by virtue of its overall excellence – if you’re looking for a single-disc introduction to JSB’s organ music, this could well be it

What an impressive little instrument this is… extremely well balanced in its voicing, and every stop… is designed and built in perfect proportion to each other. A bright, clean, direct and focused power where each and every note of a chord comes through nice and clear… well captured by the Divine Art recording. David Hamilton uses the organ’s attributes and acoustics to his advantage, and delivers a crisp, focused and finely registered account of all these pieces, This new recording should rest nicely at the top of the heap.

Goldstone raises another worthy composer from the dust bin of time and gives him his due.  You can play a lot of musical chicken/egg games here as some of his works predated masters you know yet seem eerily similar.  A great bit of hide and seek for classical enthusiasts that want to dig deeper without have to go on a scavenger hunt to do so.

This Russian Music series has much to commend it for musical explorers. The comprehensive notes draw you into this unique composer’s world, and he plays all the music with a winning flair.. Warmly recommended.

Anthony Goldstone is one of Britain’s most respected pianists. Despite his considerable achievements – he has been called ‘the father of Russian modernism’ – Rebikov has been driven to the margins of musical history.. . Anthony Goldstone’s formidable playing is technically superb and articulate, revealing all the passion and colour in this little heard music.

All of Goldstone’s discs are highly satisfying, played with power and conviction…. his solo recordings are all of immense interest.

This is a most welcome addition to the discography of Russian music for the piano. Enterprising and adventurous pianist.

Rebikov’s music is quite unlike anything I have heard before: imaginatively designed yet conspicuously original and searching. [Rebikov’s] neglect is not only unfathomable, but also sinful… his music is consistently of a high, imaginative, unpretentious order. Goldstone brings out those aforementioned qualities cogently yet with .. hypnotizing sensibilities. The recording is aptly spacious and the overall presentation (essay included) is splendid. Enthusiastically recommended.