Raymond Clarke plays this music with great affection and understanding"
Peter Burwasser
Fanfare
This British recording offers a fascinating program intelligently executed. The Shostakovich pieces… are also rarely heard, so this album is welcome for them alone. The Panufnik pieces are even rarer, and are played with great authority. Raymond Clarke plays all these coolly passionate works superbly and contributes expansive notes. The recording, made at the University of
Newcastle-on-Tyne, has plenty of depth and color. Highly recommended.
Sullivan
American Record Guide
“Clarke is especially good at conveying the off-the-wall perversity of the Ten Aphorisms, and his absolute technical control is vital in the exposed textures of the Panufnik. His masterly booklet essay reveals that he is also a first-rate writer on music.”
Martin Anderson
International Piano
Fine, enterprising and intelligently planned…rigorous, strong and thoughtful….Clarke fully exploits all the sustained power his Steinway can give him… a very welcome release"
Paul Ingram
DSCH Journal
This is an important CD, which is strongly recommended on every level." " …played with notable understanding and virtuosity." "…Raymond Clarke is much to be commended for his promotion of such beautifully written compositions." "… A terrific issue, very well recorded."
Robert Matthew-Walker
Musical Opinion
Pianist Raymond Clarke has long been associated with both of these composers….. He is particularly good at creating a sense of atmosphere in the delicate passages of these works. The recording, made at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, is warm and ambient."
Erik Levi
BBC Music Magazine
Committed and perceptive playing from Clarke, who for more than a decade now has been among the most stimulating and wide-ranging pianists of his generation, and a recorded balance which does justice to the crisp, clear outlines of the music. More discs from this source are keenly awaited."
Richard Whitehouse
Gramophone
Raymond Clarke already put us much in his debt with several outstanding recordings, and this release is another magnificent offering from this fine performer."
Herbert Culot
Music Web