Stravinsky: Five Easy Pieces for Piano Duet

“In most cases where a CD is accompanied by a DVD, the latter contains either some filmed performances, or interviews and rehearsal footage. Here the DVD presents a set of interlocking, semi-abstract films by Tal Rosner to complement the music. The performances are, as might be expected, of a very high order, with only the brisk tempo in the second movement of Stravinsky's Concerto seeming out of kilter.” BBC Music Magazine, October 2007 ****

“…the performances of these key Stravinsky works are outstanding in every way, bringing out all the originality, wit and character of the unique keyboard writing, to say nothing of its moments of audacity. The performance of Debussy's En blanc et noir makes a contrasting centrepiece of equal distinction, dazzling colouristic.” Gramophone Magazine, November 2007

“To mark its half century the German-based label has brought together discs originally released in each of the five decades of its activities...two of the discs are particularly interesting. Works by the 82-year-old theologian and composer Dieter Schnebel are rare on disc even now, and here his Choralvorspiele I/II is paired with Atemzüge from his important collection Maulwerke” The Guardian, 28th June 2012 ***

“Best of all are Alfons and Aloys Kontarsky's 1962 album of Stravinsky's works for two pianos – chamber-music pieces of French, rather than Russian, character – and a recent quartet of Stockhausen's early works performed by Ensemble Recherche.” The Independent, 26th May 2012 ****