International Classical Music Award 2024 Nomination in the Chamber Music category

Recommended

“…Buy this recording and what you will get is the very best of two of the most innovative players making music today with none of the downsides.”

"... They don't just play notes but improvise and penetrate beyond the page in search of the music's life-spark, turning every rhythm and interval into a personal diary... This release is electrifying and ecstatic..."

“…Kopatchinskaja has a clear, bright tone that can sound quite light at times without ever losing strength, and the ease with which she handles the technical demands never lacks depth and conviction. Say is an equal partner in all respects on an excellent disc.”

“…I find that the team of Kopatchinskaja and Say capture the feral energy as well as beauty in both the Bartók and Janácek sonatas. I was equally impressed by the power and tenderness the performers bring to the Brahms sonata…These are as fine performances of the individual works as I’ve heard on disc. Offering a program of such different yet complementary pieces makes the release even more desirable. The recorded sound is just as powerful as the performances, but it’s not overbearing. There’s a nice sense of space and distance as well. I call this a success on all scores.”

Sound 8.5      Booklet 8      Repertoire 10     Interpretation 7.5

Performance ***      Recording ****

Editor’s Choice – Chamber Section

“… the duo uncover so much marvellous detail and evoke so much powerful emotion that by the work’s [Janácek’s Violin Sonata] endI found myself wholly persuaded…”

The Strad Recommends

“Two musical mavericks breathe fresh life into much-loved sonatas”