‘Rachmaninov fans won’t want to miss this’ was Gramophone’s verdict on Steven Osborne’s recording of the Études-tableaux, and this thrilling new release is an equally essential acquisition. Osborne proves a predictably fine exponent of the Faustian Piano Sonata No 1 and is no less compelling in the selection of shorter works which completes the album.
‘Osborne works wonders as he renders the monstrously dense textures of the sonata pellucid and lends its meandering melodies direction, meanwhile giving the finale its full measure of infernal madness ...
BBC Music Magazine
‘There seems to be an opinion that the first sonata is a bit too long, a bit too diffuse … but this performance really changed my idea of it … it’s just fantastic playing. It’s beautiful—eve ...
BBC Music Magazine‘There seems to be an opinion that the first sonata is a bit too long, a bit too diffuse … but this performance really changed my idea of it … it’s just fantastic playing. It’s beautiful—eve ...