“… In every instance on this disc, one cannot imagine finer performances. This issue deserves every accolade, not least for the bringing within our experience music that, in the time-honoured phrase simply does not deserve the neglect which has befallen it. Excellent! – the classical recording business at its best.”  *****

“… Little’s touch is warm and faultless throughout this lovely program and there is a strong chemistry between her and Lenehan. Both Beach and Smyth composed large-scale works – including symphonies and operas – and after hearing this disc many listeners will want to explore their lives and music further. All credit to Little and Chandos for shining more sunlight on them.” ****½

“Tasmin Little’s survey of violin works by three female composers is a rich concoction, full of dense argument and heavily perfumed harmonies … Little is a thoroughly persuasive advocate for these seldom-aired works, combining a lustrous, vibrato-laden tone with pinpoint precision of articulation and a supple, though never overstated, rhythmic fluidity, to gloriously convincing effect…”

RECOMMENDED

“…Throughout this recording Tasmin Little and John Lenehan are in excellent form, their choices of tempi, though some might find them a little too fast and forceful at times, are intelligent and certainly bring the best out of this wonderful music. They are helped by Chandos’ usual brilliant recorded sound and sympathetic acoustic at Potton Hall, as well as excellent booklet notes, with the result being a disc that will certainly be a front runner in my deliberations for my choice for Recording of the Year.”

“…She [Little] brings out the music’s [Beach’s 1896 Sonata] melodic riches with appositely broad tonal resource, employs firefly articulation in the Scherzo – Lenehan’s colouristic palette is at its zenith here – and brings a luscious sense of phrasing to bear on the slow movement… This valuable disc, resonantly played and recorded, is the first to be released since Tasmin Little announced that she will be retiring from active performance in 2020. Let’s hope that Chandos has booked Potton Hall for a raft of follow-up sessions to keep her many admirers satisfied and the repertoire enhanced by her art.”

“…The Sonata [Beach Sonata Op. 34] is played magnificently by Little and Lenehan: there have been a number of previous recordings but I cannot imagine them being better…. “  *****

Chamber Choice

Performance *****     Recording *****

“…This delightful, beautifully performed album by Tasmin Little and John Lenehan makes an emphatic, seemingly effortless case for their music for violin & piano; presenting all but one of Beach’s works in the genre alongside Smyth and Schumann’s singe contributions…”