Albums of the Week

“…a fascinating account of three of Bach’s greatest keyboard works – the Partita No. 4; the Italian Concerto; and the Chaconne from Partita No.2 – on this exceptionally well recorded new Chandos issue…”

Recording of the Month

“… This is an intelligently compiled programme, stunningly performed, in immaculate sound. Do not hesitate.”

Disc of the Month

Artistic Guide: Exceptional              Technical (Sound) Guide: Exceptional

“The young Italian pianist Frederico Colli makes a persuasive case for Bach on a modern Steinway, fabulously recorded at Potton hall in Suffolk… The Bach/Busoni Chaconne is incredibly robust and powerful, Busoni’s writing adding a fascinating layer to the preceding tracks. This is Colli’s fourth Chandos release and confirms his position as a pianist of note. One awaits the next impatiently” *****

“… superb playing and bold musicianship”  ****

Performance ****      Recording *****

“… Colli’s Bach playing is from an expressive standpoint in the Romantic tradition … His use of the sustaining pedal is … admirably restrained. The ‘Ouverture’ of the D major Partita is crisply and coherently articulated, and the ‘Courante’ is delivered with spirit and impressive technical control. The poetic ‘Allemande’ is treated to a reflective delicacy which, on its own terms, is irresistible; and the concluding ‘Gigue’ is characterised by linear clarity and a playful, at times puckish demeanour…”

Classical Album of the Week

“… it’s a monumentally well-paced performance that grips from each moment to the next.” *****

“…Whatever he plays, whatever he does, Colli compels attention … I’d place this D major Partita as the album’s real transcendent experience. It’s here that the clarity of Colli’s fingerwork brings the most benefit, along with his engineering skills. Over the work’s half-hour span every movement is carefully weighted to form part of a whole … At his best Colli makes most other pianists appear thin and flat. On this album, you get three dimensions, sometimes more.”   *****

“… there are many ravishing and compelling moments in his reading, and he has not only an epic technique but boundless imagination too … there’s no doubt that Colli is one of the more original thinkers of his generation.”