It's certainly time we heard more of the young Petersburg-trained bass Ildar Abdrazakov. …the full agony of the songs about Dante and death touches something deeper. Gianandrea Noseda's BBC Philharmonic set up the necessary atmospheres, whether in apocalyptic trumpet duets, the fierce hammer-blows of 'Creativity' of the tender-mysterious string refrains of 'Night'.

Shostakovich's Michelangelo settings - reflections on love, death, creativity and immortality - are part of his magnificently bleak last will and testament. …Abdrazakov's restraint brings its own rewards, allowing the songs to speak with social wisdom, the more so thanks to his fabulously steady tone, which remains rich and euphonious across the entire register and dynamic range. The BBC Philharmonic and their principal conductor accompany with refinement and well aimed attack. ...the Six Romances on verses by British poets... are characteristically caustic in tone. This is another full-blooded performance and finely judged recording...