Reviews

Kawamura plays beautifully on this collection…

This is an excellent album, modern and edgy enough for people who want something new but traditional enough for those who like what they know.

Stephens approaches the…material with both skill and delicacy in a manner which tends to demonstrate his individuality as a composer…There is both passion and lyricism in the writing and the music is both contemporary and yet grounded in the best tradition of British chamber music.

The only fault one might find is that it leaves the listener wanting more. This is an interesting release which provides much food for thought

A modern ‘Lark Ascending,’ a contemporary ‘Land of Lost Content,’ a ‘Paradise Postponed,’ or the paintings of John or Paul Nash, Evelyn Mary Dunbar, John Piper, Eric Ravilious – all of these thoughts and associations came into my mind in this strongly modern setting

…the passionate devotee of contemporary music and audio perfection will find the Justin Connolly collection essential listening.

I regard this as a very important release of a fine and sadly neglected composer. His piano music is very listenable, fresh sounding, and often impressively virtuosic. Technically and musically, Clarisse Teo is certainly up to the demands of the music…if you are a lover of piano music…you are going to enjoy this release.

There can be no doubt that this is a first-rate disc and I welcome it with much enthusiasm. This new recording should help to advance Thomas Pitfield’s fast-growing reputation and hopefully lead to many more performances of music by this rewarding composer.

an exceptionally assured and spellbinding demonstration of Dufourt’s uncompromising creative ambtions

…a two-disc set of music that rarely fails to enchant…the set as a whole comes with a firm recommendation.

These are lovely works that maintain interest and momentum during the course of their two-hour journey. Kempf performs the Preludes and Fugues with technical panache, rich tone, lovely phrasing, and a marvelous grasp of the work’s ever-shifting moods and musical worlds. All told, this is a lovely recording.

Synergism for two violins…is one of the most compelling pieces for two violins I have heard. [Emma] Tring’s voice is beautifully pure…there is nothing really to detract from the importance of this release…Sonnabend’s music if sully deserving of attention.

…delightful…Kawamura presents an enjoyable hour’s worth of music; her musicality shines through throughout.

Thoroughly Enjoyable…I highly recommend this recording of engaging and attractive music…Enjoy this disc – I certainly did.

Sonically scintillating…Brilliantly executed and dramatically thrilling…superb performances are in ample supply

L’Origine Du Monde…is a superb release. Like the best music…based on theory, his [Dufourt] compositions work. Most listeners will enjoy them…

A Diabelli Variations set that has no trouble standing out from the crowd.

…as if all five performers had shone a bright light at every gesture in the score, etched and polished each one, then placed them back together.

The Kreutzer Quartet…knows how to master the quintet…[they] present all the works convincingly and…appealingly.

A double SACD…allows us to get to know a German pianist, Burkard Schliessmann, among the best and most interesting internationally in the last decades.