Bach, J S: Partita No. 2 in C minor, BWV826

“Of three Slazberg recitals, pride of place must go to the last recital there of the great Hungarian pianist Géza Anda, given in 1976. This is a great occasion immortalised.” BBC Music Magazine, February 2008 *****

"the young French pianist Cédric Tiberghien plays this music with the same gleaming, subtly coloured tone and clarity of texture he brought to his Harmonia Mundi Debussy recital… an untrammelled delight." The Daily Telegraph

'Everything has been deeply considered. Everything works. Hewitt makes a beautiful, limpid sound; her ornaments are exquisitely precise as well as sounding natural; she uses the subtle shadings and variations of volume possible on the piano without swamping the music. Technically the paying is faultless ... superbly poised, light and joyous. Indeed, that would sum up the entire set' (Classic CD)

“These three Bach partitas present Perahia at his most civilised. Awesome clarity in the fingerwork, yet nothing freezing into a mannerism: that’s the special hallmark of No 2. No 4 brings architectural grandeur, and a marvellously trilling courante. No 3’s sarabande twiddles its thumbs – the only spot where Perahia’s refinement outdistances feeling. Glenn Gould’s performance offers strutting quirks, but Perahia takes us close to heaven.” The Times, 18th April 2008 ****

“[Perahia's] studies at the harpsichord have encouraged a lightness of touch in his piano playing here, even in the more solid movements such as the Second Partita's opening Sinfonia, where clarity and litheness seem more important to him than over-pedalled severity. The dances are enjoyed for their contrapuntal play as much as for their rhythmic course, and Perahia's ornamentation is judicious; only an occasionally over-emphasised sectional approach to structure mars the flow.” The Telegraph, 12th April 2008

“In Murray Perahia's hands Bach's Partitas not only work well on the modern concert grand but also sound completely at home. The pianist's vibrant and variegated sonority perpetually sings, while his contrapuntal acumen leaves no detail unconsidered nor unduly fussed over.” Gramophone Magazine, July 2008

“Perahia's articulation cuts through the most intricate paragraphs and yet there's a searching spirituality, too…” BBC Music Magazine, June 2008 *****

“truly outstanding … Perahia plays with perfect poise, clarity and intelligence, always mindful of the partitas’ perfect structure … it’s a joy from start to finish” The Observer