'The guitar is the element that binds together the mix of chanting, shouting, extended vocal techniques, conventional singing, and twelve-tone choral procedures into a work of compelling dramatic unity' (AllMusic, USA)» More

‘Well filled set and plenty to arrest the imagination’ (MusicWeb International)» More

'Dal punto di vista interpretativo l'esecuzione di Alina Ibragimova, pur facendosi apprezzare pienamente dal punto di vista tecnico, sucita qualche dubbio dal punto di vista musicale. La sensazione provata ascoltandola è di una strumentista che voglia suonare in maniera più ampia e corposa dal punto di vista sonore rispetto alle proprie possibilità' (Musica, Italy)

‘The combination of Hyperion's state-of-the-art recording, an inspired repertoire choice and committed, musicianly performances makes this disc a winner. Both composers here are deserving of further exposure … Żeleński's Piano Quartet is darkly Romantic and the players display a clear rapport, with Plowright careful never to obfuscate textures; the highlight is the gorgeously sustained, rapt Romance … mystery infuses the ululating surfaces and metric feints of Zarębski's Quintet's Adagio … in which the demonstration standard recording really comes into its own. A fascinating disc, lovingly produced’ (International Piano)

‘Hyperion's useful coupling of the Zarębski with Żeleński's quartet makes this disc specially welcome and the playing is first-rate’ (Gramophone)

‘Zarębski's Piano Quintet confirms a feel for Lisztian harmony allied to a commanding formal sense that should have been the springboard into an eventful maturity and, even so, is not so far behind those by Brahms, Dvořák or Franck as a significant contribution to the medium … the Piano Quartet by Żeleński is complementary in almost every respect … the pianism of Polish specialist Jonathan Plowright has an eloquence and poise which meshes with the strings in a master-class of responsive ensemble playing. Warmly spacious sound, and detailed booklet notes by Adrian Thomas, only add to the disc's attractions. Hopefully this partnership will record more Polish chamber music of the late Romantic era’ (International Record Review)

‘An outstanding account of Zarębski's Piano Quintet, capturing the score's emotional intensity … a performance of passionate warmth … making this recording doubly valuable is the even rarer Piano Quartet in C minor by Wladyslaw Żeleński … gentler and yearningly introspective, it is nevertheless full of soaring melodies, and folk-inflected scales and rhythms reinforce a certain Slavic tone. Again, the performance is impeccable … another invaluable Hyperion release’ (BBC Music Magazine)

‘These works have been unjustly neglected for over a century and here they are, imbued with the spirit of Polish dance in their finales, the Polonaise full of national bravado … Hyperion is to be congratulated for enabling us to hear this music’ (Liverpool Daily Post)

‘Żeleński's 1903 Concerto … is delivered with infectious exhilaration. The variations of the slow movement, elegantly introduced by the orchestra, continue with Plowright moving from nocturne to ballade; flecks of melancholy in a brilliant Lisztian finale betray the composer's nationality’ (The New Zealand Herald)

‘Arrestingly heroic, lushly poetic and very likeable: Chopin meets Rachmaninov. It requires the pianist to do technical cartwheels, which Jonathan Plowright achieves admirably, romancing as required … the performances, recording and presentation are all superb’ (International Piano)

‘Jonathan Plowright continues his persuasive advocacy of the Polish 19th- and early 20th-century repertoire with these two rarities in Hyperion's seemingly inexhaustible Romantic Piano Concerto series. Wladyslaw Żeleński's lyrically emotional concerto shows the influence of Tchaikovsky, Franck and Grieg and offers Plowright plenty of opportunities to display his formidable talent. Like fellow countryman Chopin, Aleksander Zarzycki raises traditional dance forms to virtuosic level in his engaging concerto and makes a patriotic call to his homeland with his brilliant Grande Polonaise’ (The Observer)

‘Even in the crowded field of rare Romantic Piano Concertos, the Polish composers Żeleński and Zarzycki have something particularly satisfying to bring Hyperion's invaluable series … Żeleński's Concerto is an imposing piece: its technical challenges are exhilaratingly dispatched by Jonathan Plowright, while no detail of its dark Slavonic colouring escapes the attention of the conductor Łukasz Borowicz, who draws finely responsive accompaniments from the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra … Zarzycki's Grande Polonaise recalls Chopin in its sparkling elegance. It's performed with the right degree of stately swagger’ (BBC Music Magazine)