Linn label - CDs

“It's curious, but however well you think you know these sonatas, the freshness and incisiveness of Pizarro's playing somehow takes you unawares. From the almost unfeasibly grave Grave introduction to the Pathétique to the torrential outbursts in the finale of the Appassionata, Pizarro shows how well he understands Beethoven” Andrew McGregor, bbc.co.uk, 12th February 2003

“An exceptional album of Beethoven from a rising young pianist - one to watch.” Gramophone Magazine

Lacks nothing in attack or passion but benefits in clarity of detail from the chamber size of the ensemble and the superb recording standards befitting this label.
The Observer

“Pamela Thorby's work with the Palladian Ensemble has alone been sufficient to establish her as a world class performer, and the reputa- tion of Sonnerie has long been sky-high. Their coming together offers a delightful prospect and though, as any sports-person knows, teams assembled from star players don't always work happily, this one lives up to its promise. Their material has a familiar look but their delivery of it is of rare quality and fully justifies this journey along oft-trodden paths.
The music trips off Thorby's tongue with the utmost fluency, cleanly articulated, and without any trace of the distressing sagging or wavering of pitch on long notes that haunts too many otherwise laudable performances by some others. No less notable is her enhancing embellishment, particularly though not exclusively in the slow movements. Sonnerie provide the perfect substrate for Thorby's excursions: stylish, precise and ideally balanced in the Linn recording.
Throughout, one has the impression of a single mind in control of two 'hands', soloist and ripieno. This recording is sheer pleasure and comes highly recommended.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010

“Pamela Thorby, a regular member of the Palladian Ensemble, demonstrates versatility and virtuosity beyond question and is imaginatively accompanied by Richard Egarr, who also contributes a sparkling account of the Harpsichord Suite in E major. The recording was made from facsimiles of the autograph manuscripts, and the performances are commensurately vivid and immediate. One feels constantly gripped by the music, as if every single note matters.
There's no compulsive need for a cello on the basso continuo part, and on this occasion Thorby and Egarr manage perfectly well without one. Egarr uses a chamber organ on some of the sonatas, and although it's not historically likely in Handel's chamber sonatas, its musical effect is pleasing, and increases textural variety while removing the threat of monotony across 74 minutes of intense brilliance.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010

“An enchanting collection from the mid-1720s played with virtuosity by Pamela Thorby, a regular member of the Palladian Ensemble. Richard Egarr is a superb partner.” Gramophone Magazine, Awards Issue 2005

"...exceptional realism ...the Oriental Procession would make a terrific demo for the new [SACD] technology." ClassicsToday.com