DVD Videos

“The visual side of the production is handled with both taste and imagination, and the musical balance is well focused and natural. Hynninen and his admirable partner convey the poignancy of this music to splendid effect” Penguin Guide, 2010 edition **/***

“Wolf's Mörike-Lieder is where Bostridge's high literary intelligence comes into its own, with a highly compelling set of love-songs, both spiritual and sensual. Everywhere Vignoles is an inspired and inspiring accompanist.” BBC Music Magazine, July 2010 ***

“The filming is very straightforward… one mainly has an ideal view of the Amadeus Quartet, enabling one to see the way in which the musical line is passed from one instrument to another. In Schubert's Quartettsatz, which launched the first recital, the qualities of the Amadeus are highlighted, for good or ill: a rich, luscious sound, with Norbert Brainin not only the leader but very much the dominant personality...” BBC Music Magazine, November 2005 ****

“These first Testament issues present a compelling case for DVDs of four chaps sitting on chairs.” Gramophone Magazine, February 2006

“As we know from his fine CD version, Thomas Quasthoff is a master of this cycle, his command of word and music consistently true and compelling.
His interpretation here is once more imbued with sincere empathy with the suffering traveller, suggesting, as he says in the accompanying interview, a man at once at the end of his tether and yet defiant. He is also keen to show that each song could not exist without its being part of the whole, just one aspect of Schubert's genius. The cohesion of his reading is supported with deep acumen by Barenboim's thoughtfully felicitous playing. Some 30 years ago he recorded the cycle with Fischer-Dieskau, and again he manages to underpin his singer's intentions while managing to add his own mite of individuality.
So why do the results rather underwhelm? The direction is too restless and in close-up Quasthoff constantly rocks from side to side; the effect becomes dizzying. For a DVD version Bostridge offers rich rewards, but for those allergic to any visual dimension outside the music as such, this DVD has much to offer purely in musical terms.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010

“…an exceptionally fine performance of Schubert's great song cycle… Filmed with great tact and concentration, we only see, apart from a few distance shots, Barenboim weighing in with his accompaniment and Thomas Quasthoff close up, with his expressive features. Bold, seemingly spontaneous yet deeply pondered, this is one of the great performances of this masterwork that I have ever witnessed. There is also half an hour of illuminating interviews with the artists, and rehearsal sequences.” BBC Music Magazine, January 2006 *****

“As we know from his fine CD version, Thomas Quasthoff is a master of this cycle, he command of word and music consistently true and compelling. The cohesion of his reading is supported with deep acumen by Barenboim's thoughtfully felicitous playing.” Gramophone Magazine, February 2006

“An uncommonly weighty performance of the great C major Symphony, but Böhm carries it off, while the E flat Mass, a late work, sounds most convincing in this heartfelt interpretation in austere and beautiful surroundings.” BBC Music Magazine, October 2006 ****

“A perfectionist at the piano...master pianist Alfred Brendel.” Sunday Times