ica classics

The Chopin items are chaste and tender perfection, every phrase caressed and yet totally without self-indulgence; and the Falla Ritual Fire Dance is a thrillingly unbridled encore. — BBC Music Magazine, June 2011, 4 out of 5 stars More…

Breathtaking pianism from Gilels: Tchaikovsky's Concerto No. 2 is titanic and tender by turns, and his opening phrase of Beethoven Four is near-miraculous. Ropey sound quality, but worth it. — BBC Music Magazine, January 2012, 4 out of 5 stars More…

Pappano is nothing if not dynamic and wholehearted in his approach to this wonderful piece…the swagger of the Italians can be irresistible and the euphoric close of the symphony elicits a suitably... — Gramophone Magazine, November 2016 More…

Every bar of Chopin's Third Ballade is illuminated by his stylistic luxuriance and audacity (try the tumultuous rush and glitter in the final bars) and even when almost engulfed by his own virtuosity,... — Gramophone Magazine, March 2012 More…

These mono tapes from the Music Preserved collection held at the University of York still fizz with the excitement of that evening 50 years on, the last movement of Mozart's "Jupiter" breathtaking... — The Observer, 19th May 2013 More…

Rozhdestvensky's affinity with British music is evident in this marvellously airy, epic Planets and sprightly Variations. Plain broadcast recording sound, but too enjoyable to be merely historic. — BBC Music Magazine, September 2012, 5 out of 5 stars More…

The music benefits from that all-important sense of live engagement...the only reason I was reminded that these are 'old' recordings was through the quality of the performances: love then or... — Gramophone Magazine, August 2014 More…