Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18

“Francis and the London Symphony Orchestra provide consistently world-class, shapely orchestral frameworks and beautifully characterised first-desk solos throughout” Gramophone Magazine, June 2013

“it’s a delight to report that much, though not all, of the music making captured here is terrific...Tempi are swift, with pianist and orchestra perfectly synchronised...Lisitsa refuses to wallow, accentuating Rachmaninov’s jazzy boldness and dark humour...Both works [Nos. 1 & 4] need this sort of advocacy.” The Arts Desk, 13th April 2013

“She tackles the popular "Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No 2" with an ease that betrays her deep familiarity with the material; but it's the confident way she deals with the challenging "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini"...that most impresses here...It's all hand-led with industrious grace by Wang.” The Independent, 11th March 2011

“lots of filigree play and brilliantly clear articulation” The Times, 2nd April 2011 ***

“The partnership of Yuja Wang and Claudio Abbado produces thoughtful and often imaginative Rachmaninov on this new disc. These performances may be as flamboyant or as theatrical as some, but there are impressive moments, and there's a fluency and lack of the mannerism inthe playing that is certainly attractive.” International Record Review, April 2011

“She makes us hear this hoariest of Romantic war-horses afresh, as if with cleaned ears: the work emerges as almost classical, Mozartian even, in its poise and architecture. There isn't an iota of indulgence of gratuitious emotion, yet neither is there any lack of force or genuine passion wherever required.” BBC Music Magazine, May 2011 *****

“This petite 24-year-old turns out to be a powerhouse! Undaunted by the challenges of this repertoire, her articulate and precise style brings a freshness and wit to these pieces without compromising the emotional breadth of Rachmaninov's music. Her intelligent crafting of the variations turns the Rhapsody into a bonus concerto, but it's her superb skill and artistry which shines through.” Classic FM Magazine, June 2011 ****

“Both musicians are bursting with fire and seem joined at the hip in these accounts of Rachmaninov’s second and third piano concertos. Rhythmic momentum, glittering flourishes and plaintive musings: all the right boxes are ticked.” The Times, 6th March 2010 ***

“There is nothing overstated in these performances, and yet there is nothing that goes unnoticed either: the interpretative balance is precise and inspired, the thrill of experiencing the concertos played in this way immeasurable. Trpceski was born to perform this music, and Petrenko to conduct it.” The Telegraph, 5th March 2010 *****

“Both performances show an exemplary clarity and taste, a recreation, as it were, of musical utterances rather than virtuoso warhorses...The Second Concerto's opening is naturally paced, neither perversely fast nor affectedly slow” Gramophone Magazine, April 2010

“A performance of integrity and imagination, and one that reveals unexpected subtleties in music that too often seems simply to tumble from climax to climax.” The Independent on Sunday, 18th April 2010

“Simon Trpceski and Vasily Petrenko present a completely integrated conception of each work...[they] know exactly when to push the musical argument forward and where it requires a bit more poise and reflection. The results are invariably compelling” BBC Music Magazine, June 2010 *****

“Trpceski's playing combines dazzling brilliance with warmly natural phrasing with the natural ebb and flow so characteristic of the composer's richly romantic melodic lines. Petrenko's tempos are not dissimilar to Previn's and his partnership with his soloist is all-embracing...Both works close thrillingly and the listener is left thoroughly satisfied.” Penguin Guide, 2011 edition