Reviews

To hear the sound universe of Szymanowski in all its splendour, one needs the love and sensitivity of Korean pianist Sinae Lee, who offers this new performance in a brilliant recording on Divine Art. The result, quite simply is that everything here runs admirably right from the beginning and is quite simply extraordinary.

This astounding set is as essential a purchase as the acclaimed Simon Rattle/EMI recordings of the orchestral works, and it is the most important collection ever to have been released of Szymanowski’s piano music. Sinae Lee’s release sets new standards for the performance of Szymanowski’s piano music, and her quest for accuracy has not in any way inhibited her playing’s wonderful sense of spontaneity. I am confident that any listeners responsive to late-Romantic music who buy this superb set will share my enthusiasm for it.

Lee is the choice…her fingers are as clever as her brain… Sinae Lee’s is the complete version to have

A terrific survey of Szymanowski’s works… Lee’s sensitive and probing performances of Szymanowski provide a marvellous, fulfilling and informative way to spend four hours

A young pianist unfazed by the exotic and complex demands… Lee’s command and lucidity are unfaltering… she is as true to the spirit as to the letter of every bar. Unflagging brio and refinement…an astonishing achievement

Leach coaxes poetic sounds and plays this repertoire very sensitively

Leach plays cleanly and affectingly… It is to her credit that there is no wide gulf between her playing and these fixtures of the modern virtuoso stage

Ms Leach’s tempi and choice of ornaments is very convincing… The performances are thoughtful and reliable and it has proved to cause me to cogitate, which must indicate Jo Leach’s expert skill in communication. Performances ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Recording ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The sound quality of the Athene CD is glowing and has a brilliant clarity which puts it firmly in the drawing room, without the distraction of an overblown acoustic. This is a performance of sensitivity and integrity, with a real understanding of the cadence, and the balance between both instruments and players is just right. Joanna Leach absolutely shines in the stunning F sharp minor sonata. I recommend buying the Joanna Leach and Derek Bell CD, as a recording to enjoy over and over again.

This disc preserves in the Athene label’s “Outstanding Concert Performance Series” a live program presented by the Freiburg Philharmonic Orchestra on 13 and 14 January, 1997. The back cover finds the concerto soloist, pianist Andreas Boyde, earning a much bigger, bolder credit than either orchestra or conductor (Johannes Fritzsch). A listen to the album reveals […]

Boyde pulls off the storming stuff but is also very satisfying at spinning the cantabile. It’s a celebration in romantic exuberance. No wonder the audience greeted it so enthusiastically. This is a fine live event with all the associated frisson of risk and spontaneity. The playing in those faster movements [of the Shostakovich] is remarkable

Boyde makes detail come to life; he has an amazing capacity to build up long piano solos thereby making them full of interest. His cadenzas are breathtaking and the clarity of his finger work is stunning… he generates tremendous excitement. He has enviable lyrical gifts … The orchestra and conductor must also be congratulated. The exemplary recording greatly aids the clarity of detail.

This performance [of the Tchaikovsky] has the electricity of a live performance and … it is well-nigh perfect. I’ve been very impressed [with Boyde]. I particularly liked [the orchestra’s] ability to convey the sassiness [of the Shostakovich]. And then there’s the bargain price. All in all, a recommended recording.

Based on the music presented on this double CD, [Roy Heaton Smith] is most worthy of the dedicated work that has been put into the production of this unique retrospective. I found the ‘Pastoral’ a magical experience. It quite clearly out-Britten’s Britten in its effectiveness, colourful scoring and musical interpretation of the text. The composer has a masterly understanding of string writing. [The String Quartet] is a little masterpiece. I loved Clare Wilkinson’s voice in all the vocal works. Based on this present two-CD exploration of his music, any forthcoming performances will be essential listening.

This impressive music was inspired by the style of the Renaissance and the early Baroque and will appeal to both early music lovers and followers of the modern organ repertoire. The brilliant Simmons gives assured performances throughout.

Splendid new 3CD set…. many of these unjustly neglected pieces make a welcome reappearance here.

A real treat for chamber music fans. With each disc packed to the gills with music… a tasty collection from stem to stern.

Elegance, expressiveness and sensitivity marked Taffanel’s artistry, and the same qualities can be found in this set… a rich treasury of music… interesting and beautiful pieces.

[Taffanel’s] contribution to flute history was remarkable. Ken Smith’s silky flute tone immediately grabs the attention, This, combined with the sensitive piano playing of Paul Rhodes, makes for an excellent duo. {review praises the performance of each work in turn}. It was interesting to hear this range of well- and less-known pieces form an important era in the flute’s history. Kenneth Smith’s wonderful tone and range of colours is the highlight of the recording, and the musicianship demonstrated by the two artists was a pleasure to experience… an excellent document of Taffanel’s legacy and has much that is worthy of praise.

A major publication… A whole world is brought together here which brings up some surprises and some premières. Clearly the two artists have tried throughout the whole programme to imagine the sound-world of Paul Taffanel with respect and precision, moving away if thought necessary from current styles of interpretation. The relevance, the illustrations and the quality of the accompanying booklet extends the tribute.