Recording of the Week

“… the latest volume of a cycle that stands up favourably against Bernstein’s own Copland recordings, and surely ranks as one of the finest orchestral series of the past few years.”

“… There is always a place even in a crowded historical market place for Schnabel’s Mozart performances, especially when they receive top quality transfers as here.”

“Artur Schnabel’s Mozart is every bit as individual as [Glenn] Gould’s Beethoven [Piano Sonatas Nos 30-32, Naxos 8.111299] but infinitely more subtle, the pathos-filled Rondo in A minor, K511, providing a fine example of Schnabel’s immaculate sense of musical timing. The same Naxos CD also includes the Concertos K595 (under Barbirolli) and K365 (with Karl Ulrich Schnabel, under Boult). The transfers are excellent.”

“… every track is played with an ideal blend of style and sensitivity, and the Naxos engineers have done their part by framing the music with a sonic ambience than is warm, fairly close-up, and that reveals every detail without ever sounding too analytical.”

"... While the playing is utterly seamless and unaffected, it's also full of personality... As with the previous installment in this indispensible series, you need to run-not walk-to order this one."

“…This is magnificent programming, magnificently delivered.”

“… Angular or strident sounds are not a part of Christian Blackshaw's technique. Instead a horizontally even line and lucid touch sustain his vision of Mozart.”

“… there is created in the listener a sense of unlimited trust in the pianist's interpretative authority - whether in his instinct for relating of tempo choice to shaping of phrases and grading of dynamics, or in his always acutely sensitive, never showy placing of detail... one of today's most completely accomplished keyboard Mozartians.” *****

“There is no greater compliment to Blackshaw that this ongoing set surely ranks with the greats and that he appears to be one of the foremost Mozart interpreters of the day.”

“… He identifies completely with each work, drawing out the emotional characteristics of individual movements without unwarranted mannerism. As before, Blackshaw works within a deliberately limited dynamic range, but nonetheless exerts a subtle control of timbre and voicing and delights in projecting the sheer inventiveness of Mozart's music.”

“… the capacity of the modern piano for a horizontally sustained line is largely to the fore, heard through Christian Blackshaw's lucid touch, command of tone through dynamics and tactful use of pedal. His technique is unimpeachable, his concept of the music often gentle, sometimes contemplative, occasionally detached or assertive.”

“Simple they might seem on their surface, but Mozart’s piano sonatas make demands of poise, control and human insight unlike any other body of work. In the second of what will be a four-volume collection, Christian Blackshaw gives beautifully shaped, sparkling, aching accounts...every little turn full of import.”

“… It would be hard to find Mozart more soft-spoken and captivating than this.”

“Distinguishing lightness of touch, optimum clarity and ideal tempos inform this further batch of five works. One is aware of Blackshaw’s deep study of these Sonatas, and his affection and consummate approach, illuminating the music without making points or imposing self, yet there is plenty of character and individual insight to savour…enthusiastically recommended.”

“… His interpretations are highly cultured and lucid, models of poise and natural spontaneity…”

“… permit me to join the chorus of acclaim for his elegance of phrasing, limpid tone quality (captured in a demonstration-quality recording), tastefulness of nuance and ornamentation, and imaginative response to harmony and character. Every tiniest detail here is thought through... Yet nothing is fetishised. Perfection – or something very close to it – is in the service of freedom.”