Franz Peter Schubert

“A pianist who, for all his digital dexterity, is a profoundly intellectual artist, one for whom heart and brain are inseparably fused.” Financial Times

“…this is one of the best disc versions of the Second on the market, and the substantial Schubert bonus is no less recommendable” Penguin Guide

“No doubt [Rostropovich’s] influence from the centre of the string texture contributes to the eloquence of the famous Adagio, which, like the performance as a whole, is strongly, even dramatically, characterized.” Penguin Guide

“There are performances that give intense pleasure, and performances that make you think. And, just occasionally, you encounter one that does both. The Braley-Capuçon-Capuçon Schubert First Trio is one of those. The playing is superb from just every angle you consider it: beguiling tone, lovely intelligent phrasing, strong but flexible rhythmic articulation, precise pitch and alert ensemble.” BBC Music Magazine, May 2007 *****

“Old-school soloists, bent on competing with each other, and balance issues conspire to take the shine off Schubert, but these Masses, are given Brucknerian sweep and drama.” BBC Music Magazine, Proms 2007 ***

“On every count this is a triumphant record ... it offers us Rostropovich's own superb playing ... admirably partnered by Britten (who shows himself an outstanding chamber music pianist by any standards)... a splendid performance of the Debussy Sonata ... technically too, the recording is impeccable ... The Schumann - a slight work which, in other hands, can be rather humdrum - gives us the opportunity of admiring the cellist's ravishing cantabile and his finesse of rubato and of tonal gradation... the Debussy is notable for its sensitivity, fluidity and fantasy, and for the remarkable rapport which evidently exists between these two artists: the finale in particular drew forth a spontaneous cry of "Bravo!" from me... "supremely beautiful playing from both cellist and pianist, with never a dead note in even the most incidental bit of figuration [Schubert] ... the engineering is superb: the sound is glorious, and so true to life that if you shut your eyes you can imagine the players in your own room.” Gramophone Magazine

“The classics version [of the Debussy] by Rostropovich and Britten has a clarity and point which suit the music perfectly. The recording is first class” Penguin Guide, 2011 edition