DVD Videos

“There's real feeling in his music making, a sense of genuine connection with the spirit of the music ... his cello sings with almost human expressiveness” Classics Today

“…the austere visual dimension can have the effect of focusing one's listening, not least as the interior of the 12th-century Servatiuskirche auf dem Streichen at Chemgau makes a fitting backdrop both for the music and for Yang's vision of it. Just as the church manages somehow to be both beautiful and austere, so Yang is unafraid to let fundamental full tone achieve a powerful sonority in places, while at the same time keeping his readings light with some adroitly detailed articulation.” Gramophone Magazine, November 2006

“Monsaingeon has unearthed a great deal of footage of the young Gould playing the piano and talking about musical generally.” BBC Music Magazine, October 2006 ****

“Glenn Gould's cult status makes it hard for the would-be objective critic, compelled to fight his way through a tangled thicket of hero-worship and self-conscious idiosyncrasy. Gould's early retirement from concert-giving and his decision to devote himself exclusively to recording is castigated by Menuhin, for whom the live concert is sacred. For Gould a mosaic of takes, often extending over many years, was a musical ideal... there are valuable previously unavailable examples of Gould's playing, with dazzling flights through Chopin (the second Etude), Weber and Hindemith...” Gramophone Magazine, November 2006

“The Takacs Quartet bring to these masterpieces the requisite virtuosity, tonal sophistication and command of idiom. These are full-blooded accounts of enormous conviction with that open-air quality which suggests the fragrance of the forests and lakes of Hungary. The recording is excellent and this Decca set now takes it's palce at the top of the list.” The Penguin Guide to CDs

“Two of the four players are British, the other two Hungarians from the original Takács Quartet. Their degree of integration is quite remarkable, as is the old-fashioned…freedom of their playing. With wonderful photography and an extremely clear image, these are among the most rewarding DVDs I have ever seen, and among my highest musical experiences.” BBC Music Magazine, September 2006 *****

“A peculiarity among the brothers is that they look almost entirely dissimilar. But looks aren't everything: they sounded like brothers, in that their playing had the kind of bracing empathy of ideas and feelings that characterizes all great chamber ensembles.” The New York Times

“The venue, the early 18th-century Palais Daun-Kinsky in Vienna, is opulent in appearance, and opulent in sound as well… the Shahams… have clearly worked out exactly what they want to do with phrasing, rubato and dynamics, and play with complete unanimity. No extras, commentary, or documentary - just Mozart.” BBC Music Magazine, August 2006 ****

"Trust is so important for Mozart. His music is operatic, full of human situations and humour. It tells stories, pleads, and then forgives. If you can face the musicians with all this… it is wonderful.” (Mitsuko Uchida)