Reviews

An excellent solo violin recital. The Paganini choices are unusual ones, and confirm this player’s credentials as a top class virtuoso…. the whole is very satisfying.

Zacharias leaves one lost in admiration at his remarkable facility… , this is one of the finest recordings currently available [of the Bartók]. Zacharias proves especially persuasive in these enormously demanding opuses, tracing their expressive logic with a probing assuredness that is enormously compelling. I look forward to his next release with eager anticipation.

In all aspects, the rendition of the music on this disc by George Zacharias is well performed. His interpretations reflect not only a highly refined technique but also empathy with the essence of the music. It is well recommended.

The young Greek’s technical acuity… he has sharpened to a sharpness that allows him to indulge in dramatic gestures… thoroughly mastered the virtuosic effects. Generally squeaky-clean performances

well-craft­ed, folk-influenced music with colorful and sometimes mournful melodies. The duo plays beautifully; a charming, balanced, well-engineered program, and I’m grateful.

The whole CD is a fascinating portrait of a musical heritage. The performances are rich and full of nuance, and the balance and recorded sound are ideal.

I fell quite thoroughly under the spell of the way [Armenian] music spoke to me. All told this is a musical program to delight … a pleasing refuge. And the playing is very idiomatic and appropriate.

A delightful disc of discoveries. Vocalise by Arno Babajanian … is a real charmer. Impromptu by Alexander Arutiunian, surely destined to become a favourite encore.

I have thoroughly enjoyed being introduced to the music of this fascinating country and am highly impressed by the wealth of truly gorgeous tunes that have come from there. Stepanian’s Sonata is an orgy of sumptuous melodies that make it totally irresistible. Gomida’s songs have been skilfully arranged … they seem to be the perfect vehicles for cello and piano. The duo hoped that they could produce a disc that would be accessible and appealing to a wide range of listeners. This they have certainly done and their playing mirrors their commitment to the project for it shows in every note.

To my ears they’ve got the balance just right, allowing each narrative to unfold naturally, but giving it a little lift here and there with an inflection, a change in the dynamics, a gentle touch of rubato – the kind of interpretative decisions that bring any performance alive. This is natural, unemphatic playing, trusting the music to speak for itself, and the recital as a whole is all the more effective for it; The recorded sound is equally natural, close enough to notice detail but sufficiently far back to give the music perspective. The booklet essay tells you just what you need to know. In short, it’s a release which informs, charms, distracts, and moves you, without ever raising its voice. It should find lots of friends.

This is an attractive and somewhat exotic disc. It may not be challenging music, but it is appealing and at the same time unusual enough to hold our interest. The performances seem very committed and sensitive. There are helpful notes in English, French, and Armenian.

Heather Tuach has a glorious and beautiful tone and, although I have not seen the music, her performances are attractive and appealing. That Patil Harboyan is a fine pianist is clearly evidenced in this recording. The sound is exemplary and the booklet notes are excellent. This CD is important and will give deep satisfying pleasure to all who hear it. A real breath of fresh air and let us have some of the major works of Stepanian. A CD of real joy!

This is a most successful record. This is because Anthony Goldstone takes each piece entirely on its own merits. I am full of praise for his unusual juxtaposition of repertoire. This is a genuine recital programme, made more important… for containing three world première recordings. What is particularly impressive is that the really serious music here all receives excellent performances by this admirable artist. This is strongly recommended.

Inspired programming from Divine Art here. [The Khachaturian} is a marvelously managed transcription… well worth seeking out. [In Carnaval], Goldstone’s pianistic fluency serves him well… [his] fluid legato is a joy. Goldstone entertains still more in the Liszt… it is easy to revel in the sheer virtuosity of it all.

These Goldstones are on to something. There is nothing but delight in this version [of Chopin’s Second Piano Concerto], thus expertly performed. A remarkably gifted husband-and-wife team… admirable musicianship

A fascinating exploration of rarely heard music played with dazzling virtuosity and verve.

Flair, abandon and technical sure-footing.

The British pair is today counted amongst the world’s premier piano duos. Elegance is instantly recognisable in the duo’s reading of the Concerto… this arrangement balances poetry with thrills and colour… and has found the ideal interpreters in Goldstone and Clemmow…{they} know exactly where to take you with this music.

The recording is very clear. The rendition of the concerto is definitely very stimulating. As for the rest, the bravura pieces fare best. The liner-note is by Goldstone and is excellent, answering practically every question one may wish to ask. Overall, this is an interesting disc for those who like to explore the unknown, and to see the known from new points of view.

An ingenious collection… this is fine entertainment