‘Sometimes I just want to hear Haydn beautifully played, with the appropriate period manners, with as little adumbration as possible—and that’s where the LHQ have undoubtedly scored … those readers who have been collecting this series will know exactly what they’re going to get from the London Haydn Quartet—a cultivated, really unshowy group who prioritise Haydn’s music above any superficial glitter’ (MusicWeb International)» More

‘This is a richly rewarding disc which I enjoyed from start to finish. The playing of the members of the Leonore Piano Trio is expert and highly committed. This is very worthwhile music anyway but they make the best possible case for it. The recorded sound is excellent, as are Jeremy Dibble’s notes. I believe that a recording of Parry’s Second Piano Trio will be forthcoming from these artists in due course. I look forward to that very much’ (MusicWeb International)» More

‘To sum up my reactions to this latest issue in the Liszt cycle: it is a fascinating disc with some of the best of his songs in, very often, extremely beautiful readings and with a willingness to penetrate the dramatic possibilities that is praiseworthy. There is a freshness of approach that is stimulating, Julius Drake accompanies in a manner that Liszt himself would have admired—and there isn’t a dull phrase in the whole recital. And we shouldn’t forget Susan Youens’s excellent liner notes. As usual they add a lot to the enjoyment of the individual songs. This series certainly goes from strength to strength’ (MusicWeb International)» More

‘There are strong kinships with the scores of Brahms, Mendelssohn and Schumann. Plenty of passion too, as the opening of the E minor Piano Trio demonstrates—no English reserve here as emotional drive and sensitive asides vie with one another, locked into a concise first-movement symphonic design, played with conviction and oneness by the Leonore members, excellently recorded … all in all, an enlightening release’ (Classical Source)» More

‘Few cellists can mould a line with such attention to both light and shade … for a performance that distils the sweetness at the music’s heart, this is the one’ (The Telegraph)» More

‘In the Shostakovich Cello Sonata, Isserlis provides the lyrical narrative. He’s the storyteller—whispering, coaxing, singing and soaring—with Mustonen providing the turbulent counterpoint … playing with great gentleness and delicacy one moment, before an eruption of glittering notes propelled with a febrile intensity that reminds me of Shostakovich himself at the piano. It’s a fascinating partnership and, I think, a hugely rewarding performance … such a tremendous account … an intimately truthful recording as well … it’s my Recording of the Week’ (BBC Record Review)

‘Here is a delightful disc made to an interesting recipe: Lamentation texts in alternation with joyful settings of Regina caeli sung with passion and puppyish intensity by a large and charismatic chamber choir directed by the éminence grise of Ars Perfecta, Peter Phillips. The result has the air of joyful adventure about it; proudly choral (as opposed to consort) but with absolutely captivating clarity’ (Gramophone)

‘Tiberghien is once again consummately subtle, and he misses no opportunity for virtuoso display where the opportunity arises—as in the Bagatelle sans tonalité … and the fourth Mephisto Waltz. Generously filled and beautifully recorded, this disc offers a fine entry point for anyone either dipping into late Liszt for the first time or giving it another try’ (Gramophone)

‘As in all the earlier releases the booklet contains a very informative essay and complete texts and translations based on the new complete edition … the new recording of the Lay de Confort is particularly welcome’ (American Record Guide)

‘You’ll be purring with satisfaction at this exemplary new release from the Leonore Piano Trio. Enthusiasm isn’t always enough to prevent recordings of unfamiliar music from sounding raw but these performances feel fully matured—fresh, intelligent and strikingly stylish; edgy when they need to be and opening out generously when Parry’s romantic impulse demands it’ (Gramophone)

‘An immensely satisfying performance not just of this movement but of the entire [Shostakovich] sonata … [the Rondo in memory of Prokofiev] makes for a poignantly contemplative close to an exceptionally thoughtful selection of works’ (Presto Classical)» More

‘Isserlis and Mustonen make a strong case for [the Kabalevsky Sonata] in a performance of grand gestures that proves a real roller coaster ride. Isserlis’s intensity and Mustonen’s pianistic weight suit the piece wonderfully well, and the tolling opening chords sound at once solemn and threatening as Isserlis traces the sorrowing first subject over them. The first climax has an almost shocking ferocity that seems to haunt the meandering scherzo-cum-waltz that eventually follows, and the finale is both hair-raising in its manic energy and thrilling as a display of technical prowess … Isserlis and Mustonen play [the Rondo in memory of Prokofiev] with the combination of lyricism and drama that characterises the rest of the disc. Very fine’ (Gramophone)