Prokofiev: Five Melodies for Violin and Piano, Op. 35b

“This is a thoroughly delightful disc of music that shows Prokofiev’s amazing versatility as composer and arranger in three contrasting works...[van Keulen] is a superbly sensitive player who reveals every nuance in these wonderful works.[Brautigam] shows himself as a perfect partner. This is a disc of beauty and superb musicianship; a winning combination.” MusicWeb International, 26th April 2013

“musicians of rare versatility...Those who favour sensibly conceived programmes in physical format could do a great deal worse than the present disc even if Prokofiev needs to smile more than these artists allow.” Gramophone Magazine, May 2013

“Despite some self-conscious moments in the First Sonata, these performances are mercurial and provocative. Kremer and Argerich find expectedly dark resonances in the lyrical Second Sonata whilst projecting a radiant beauty in the Five Melodies.” BBC Music Magazine, August 2008 *****

“…Madeleine Mitchell…clearly relishes giving her wonderfully lyrical tone full rein, captured in fine sound, while Andrew Ball is a perfectly discreet accompanist. Strauss's Morgen' makes an exquisite conclusion, as if everything before was merely an extension of the lengthy opening violin solo. When the voice finally enters, it does not seem the least bit out of place, and nor should it, for Elizabeth Watts's divine performance confirms that she is an exceptional young talent.” BBC Music Magazine, December 2007 ****

“Madeleine Mitchell's playing is most appealing. Her tone is sweet and bright, and she and Andrew Ball are unfailingly sensitive to the nuances and character of each piece.” Gramophone Magazine, December 2007

“One of Britain's liveliest musical forces, the indefatigably adventurous violinist Madeleine Mitchell” The Times

“Both soloist and orchestra seem to pull out all the stops for Shchedrin's Parabola Concertante. At its most intense moments the cello and timpani engage in an exciting musical dialogue.” BBC Music Magazine, May 2008 ***

“There is a great music on this disc, the two violin and piano sonatas ranking with Prokofiev's finest chamber music, the first especially. And there are brief, tuneful and mischievous ones. The Shahams play both equally well, and the recording is stunning.” BBC Music Magazine, August 2007 ****

“The Shahams, brother and sister, make a formidable team. It's obvious throughout that they're entirely comfortable playing together, effortlessly accommodating any freedoms in timing and matching each other's tone and dynamics.
Granted that the Shahams' insistence on clearly separating each phrase sometimes results in a loss of momentum (in the opening Moderato of the Op 94 Sonata, for instance), these still emerge as brilliant, highly expressive performances.
The particularly wide dynamic range – of the recording as well as of the playing – here works decisively to the music's advantage. And, especially in the Cinq Mélodies, we hear some wonderfully subtle shades of expression: both players have clearly entered right into Prokofiev's distinctive idiom. They show the divergent natures of the two sonatas exceptionally vividly – Op 80 sombre and concentrated, Op 94 full of ebullient fantasy.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010

“…these… emerge as brilliant, highly expressive performances. The particularly wide dynamic range - of the recording as well as of the playing - here works decisively to the music's advantage. Both players have clearly entered right into Prokofiev's distinctive idiom. They show the divergent natures of the two sonatas exceptionally vividly - Op 80 sombre and concentrated, Op 94 full of ebullient fantasy.” Gramophone Magazine, September 2007

“The SCO's delivery of the 'Classical' Symphony is as crisp and satisfying as a newly minted bank note.” * * * * Classic FM Magazine