Ludwig van Beethoven

“Beethoven the revolutionary comes closer than ever in Brautigam's fiery interpretations”,The Times.

“Ronald Brautigam's warm-toned piano… serves him particularly well in the lyrical concluding rondo of the Sonata Op. 7, with the figuration of its stormy central episode returning in a mollified form to bring the work to a hauntingly beautiful close. …if you've been following Brautigam's cycle you won't be disappointed by this latest instalment.” BBC Music Magazine, September 2006 ****

“…these absorbing, freshly considered Beethoven interpretations deserve serious consideration. BIS's gorgeous engineering… and unusually generous playing time sweeten the ante.” Gramophone Magazine, Awards 2006

"You’ll know the meaning of the term ‘heart-rending beauty’ when you listen to the slow movement of the Piano Concerto." CD Review

“Moiseiwitsch was a virtuoso in the most aristocratic sense, incomparably fleet and vivacious in the Pathétique's Allegro di molto con brio, coolly without falseness or special pleading in the Adagio, sleek and feline in the finale. He eases his way into the Moonlight's Allegretto with typical insouciance and you can only marvel at his dazzling and propulsive spin through the Waldstein. Such playing is beyond price...” Gramophone Magazine, Awards 2006

"We encountered a protean outstanding interpreter of Beethoven's sonatas, Maria Grinberg (USSR). The great art of this pianist is happily combined with penetrative spirituality and mature realization of form. Her rendering of music is clear, transparent, full of passionate temper and virile force, but sometimes it is tender, lyrical, contemplative, evoking moods, which touch hearts of the audience" (Alfred Tipe, Dresden, 1963)

“What clarity of detail and what beauty of tone ravished the ear! Not since Artur Schnabel have I heard a pianist draw such vibrant, singing tone from the upper reaches of the keyboard.” (Music and Musicians, London)

Penguin Guide ***

“One of a batch of reissues celebrating the COE's 25th anniversary, this delectable disc presents the orchestra's superb wind section in Beethoven's fine, underrated Octet and some lighter pieces, all beautifully played.” BBC Music Magazine, October 2006 *****