Reviews

A rich spectrum of expression of emotional power. Outstanding interpretations…the recording quality is perfect, the booklet excellent and I can only repeat that this series of Chisholm’s work can be highly recommended

This album maintains the standard of this series, one of the most worth-while integrales in recorded history of pianist/composers. A fine recital programme.

Erik Chisholm is one of a group of British composers who have been unjustly neglected… his music is original and quiet often groundbreaking. This CD has to be explored slowly and methodically. There is far too much of interest to just play it from the first track to the last. It is virtually impossible to fault this fifth volume of an ongoing series. I have found the recording to be excellent… John Purser’s programme notes are superb. It is altogether a fine production and essential for anyone who is an enthusiast of British piano music. I believe that Erik Chisholm is so important that his music ought to have international status rather than just a local interest. I repeat my assertion that this series of CDs showcase one of the most important ‘musical discoveries and revelations of the Twenty-First Century’

The disc opens with a very fine ‘Allegro and Passacaglia’. This truly is organists’ music.. Ronald Frost [is] superb and committed throughout. I have much enjoyed exploring John Ellis’s organ music… it has charm, it is practical and is suitable for recital work. The music is beautifully performed, recorded and annotated. Even for non-organists it would be well worth searching out.

Although broadly tonal the music shows considerable variety harmonically, ranging from the modally expressive to the quartal piquancy of Hindemith. Modulations happen by sleight of hand; the pivot chords provoke marvel, whilst melodies are plastic, limpid and show the influence of plainsong. Ellis’ Variations on Veni Creator Spiritus, an absolute gem of a work… inspires an array of delightful textures and ingenious working out, culminating in a maestoso closing chorale. In a sense this work encapsulates what I love about Ellis’ music: its fluidity, its ease of skill, its quiet surprises, its occasional grandiose outbursts. [Ronald Frost’s] playing is first rate, the recording is excellent… lovers of organ music should not hesitate to buy [the disc], they will not be disappointed.

Works of approachable character and suitable difficulty for church use… music is tonal and falls firmly into a conservative… idiom… all well made and inoffensive. The noted English organist Ronald Frost performs well. Recorded sound is fine.

Considerable athleticism pervades ‘[the pianist’s] performances… I was taken by a number of features on the disc… a disarming assembly of repertoire, a naturally captured, almost ‘live’ appearance to the performances, and the short, intrepid works by Demopoulos himself. The pianist is capable of great atmosphere as well as projection, and combines well-paced expressiveness and a lively personality.

Demopoulos’ account…often has a poetic, extemporaneous quality that lifts it into a high category of excellence. With notes clothed in golden tone, dramatic outbursts and lyrical contemplation are finely contrasted. Demopoulos plays as if to the manner born. A tour-de-force

As can be heard from this well recorded disc, [Demopoulos] has made considerable progress as pianist and composer. … I will watch Mr. Demopoulos’ future development, as a composer and performer, with interest.

Panayiotis shows he is equal to the challenge [of the Beethoven]. The recording as a whole is always interesting, well played and well worth hearing. The programme notes by the pianist are erudite and fascinating, and the recording as usual from this small company is satisfying.

Eloquently persuasive performances of Williamson’s unusual and finely crafted works

McLachlan reacts to the varied moods like a pianist chameleon. Those tempted to explore Williamson’s music will not be disappointed

Nobody can fault the musical brilliance of the performance. Williamson is best in his shorter pieces, in which a small idea is often transformed into surprisingly fine-shaped patterns… his mastery of the sonata form is unquestioned. Grab [the three CDs] with the hope of many volumes to follow.

Utterly professional sound…there isn’t a weak link… polished and virtually flawless. The NYOW is probably collectively better now than ever it was.

Very fine young Welsh players. The Celtic Dances is pretty well projected by conductor and orchestra

Certainly a keyboard player to watch out for. Anja German’s unique musicianship comes across with all the sense of a newly improvised appreciation of genius. This is a CD which I wholeheartedly recommend.

Her Schubert sonata has many fine qualities: she is well inside the lyrical intensity of the wonderful Adagio… With the Haydn we are still in C minor, and she tackles this intelligently, too: there is nothing wrong with her Chopin either, as her forceful execution of the B flat minor Scherzo, fervent and sensitive by turns, amply demonstrates.

German delivers the goods in fine style on this solo extravaganza.  German powers a delightful program that must be heard to be believed. Simply an exquisite performance.

Just over a year ago, a young pianist from Slovenia became the first winner of the Manchester International Concerto Competition for Young Pianists-which was supported by the M.E.N.- with a polished and commanding performance of Beethoven’s third concerto. The competition, the brainchild of Chetham’s piano supremo Murray McLachlan, was held at Manchester Cathedral. Now Anja […]

Part of 22-year old German’s prize for winning last year’s Manchester competition for young pianists is this disc and while she is a tad too cautious in the Haydn, the clarity of lines and colour in the Schubert and energy of the Chopin vindicate the judges.