Schubert: Hungarian Melody in B minor D817

“Wosner's performance, with its extremes of dynamics, glistening pianissimos followed by thunderous fortissimos, certainly projects [a] sense of something epic, while making a link to late Beethoven, and to his last sonata, Op 111, in particular.” The Guardian, 29th September 2011 ***

“His playing of the German Dances has a muscularity and a lovely transparency, while the Hungarian Melody has an exquisite soulfulness. But what strikes the listener from the first few bars of the Sonata which opens this recording...is the aristocratic grace of Wosner's tone, and his expressive shades of staccato.” BBC Music Magazine, December 2011 *****

“With this recital Shai Wosner declares himself a Schubertian of unfaltering authority and character. Entirely modern in style (tonally lean and sharply focused, never given to easy or sentimental options), he relishes every twist and turn in the so-called Reliquie Sonata...Wosner rivets your attention at every point. He also shows a high degree of charm and affection in the German Dances and the Hungarian Melody” Gramophone Magazine, January 2012

“Cooper's sensitivity to the new light shed by remote keys is unfailing, and above all she tells the strange adventure of Schubert's most tormented A minor Sonata with unerring judgment. For this account alone, the latest instalment is indispensable.” BBC Music Magazine, June 2010 ****

“Imogen Cooper...offers a near-perfect balance of head and heart in Schubert, her expressive technique and musical personality wholly in the service of the composer...I shall treasure this performance of the G flat Impromptu, a miracle of heartfelt cantabile playing that made my eyes burn.” Gramophone Magazine, July 2010

“the poise of Cooper’s playing holds one breathless...Cooper’s sense of rightness of colour and her exquisite balancing of textures fully justify her reputation as one of the great Schubertians of our time.” Sunday Times, 16th May 2010 ****

“Cooper's articulation is precise, her tempi poised, the architecture clean, the colours cool to chilly. C minor brings out the best in her. The bittersweet Allegretto and blazing first Impromptu the most arresting works in a performance of clarity and integrity.” The Independent on Sunday, 1st August 2010

“There is no denying the pleasure of experiencing the music of Mozart, Handel and Schubert in a domestic setting and as it would have been heard in the instruments of the day. Joanna Leach's playing is intimate, stylish and pleasantly unassuming” Gramophone Magazine

“The recording is beautifully judged throughout, very close and capturing the finest of nuances. Leach's performances are first-rate, stylish and alert, with impeccably pointed ornaments. The booklet notes by Andrew Lancaster are very informative, complemented by colour photographs of each instrument. Highly recommended: domestic instruments they may be, but they are of a quality and character which is remarkable to hear.” International Record Review

“Joanna Leach is an excellent artist... the instruments presented here are very interesting and not easily available on disc. They shed light on a virtually ignored aspect of music-making in the 18th and 19th centuries.” MusicWeb International

“French pianist Brigitte Engerer here explores a paradox - how music's supreme lieder composer also launched, with a single work, the virtuoso Romantic piano tradition. She conjures some remarkable sounds from Liszt's transcriptions, from 'Die Stadt' in particular.” BBC Music Magazine, May 2008 ****