A recording of three unaccompanied sonatas for violin by the German composer Max Reger (1873-1916) might be expected only to confirm his not altogether undeserved reputation as a writer of rather dry, academic works. Not so: this disc is an unexpected pleasure, both for the music itself and for the superb playing of the young German violinist Ulrike-Anima Mathé, who reveals herself as very much an artist to be watched. The sonatas are from Reger’s Op. 91 set of seven – he deliberately wrote one more than the six solo sonatas and partitas of JS Bach to avoid inviting too direct a comparison. Inevitably the earlier masterworks are recalled – the final sonata (included here) culminates in a magnificent 13-minute chaconne in the style of Bach’s Partita No. 2 in D minor – but Reger is as much concerned with melody and harmony as with counterpoint, and much of the music is expressively lyrical. Mathé meets the considerable technical demands with assurance and is fully sensitive to the emotional subtlety of this unusual but rewarding repertory. Dorian’s recording is exemplary.
Performance: 5 (out of 5; Sound: 5 (out of 5)

-- David Michaels, BBC Music Magazine

REVIEW:

[In] Haydn’s piano trios...it takes only a hint of overstatement to undermine it completely. Fortunately, this disc, which includes four of Haydn’s relatively late trios (three of them written at the same time as the London symphonies) is almost entirely without blemish. The Kalichstein– Laredo–Robinson Trio combines three formidable soloists who came together in 1977. Joseph Kalichstein’s keyboard technique is impeccable, with a consistent evenness and lightness of touch that is simply breathtaking. Jaime Laredo, in the main sparkling in his performance, has a slight tendency to over-emphasis, although generally there is a marvellous sense of ebullience in the playing. This disc includes the G major Trio (Hob XV/25) with its famous ‘Gypsy’ Rondo, but for collectors of ‘purple patches’, the E minor Allegretto of Hob XV/28 with its enigmatic chromatic theme in octaves will certainly surprise. A disc to treasure.
Performance: 5 (out of 5; Sound: 5 (out of 5)

-- Annette Morreau, BBC Music Magazine