This is a marvellous disc, one of the most enjoyable I have heard in a long time. It is distinguished by superb sound, too. There is a great line-up of soloists who seem to have clicked miraculously, with the result that they deliver a more completely satisfactory account of the Trout Quintet than any I have ever heard before. Martin Helmchen is as gifted a new pianist as I expect to here for years, and Christian Tetzlaff is here at his best.

The clarity of separation between the instruments in the Trout is owed in part to the recording but also the performers themselves, a well attuned group. Helmchen ensures that the opening of the variation movement quoting the song, "Die Forelle", is far gentler than usual, obeying the score, and the climax brings wonderfully bouncy playing, leading to a jaunty account of the finale. ...the most striking performance of all comes in the Notturno, tenderly affectionate in its flowing adagio. Though the pianissimos are extreme, every note can be clearly heard. A distinctive disc celebrating the emerging mastery of Martin Helmchen.

Martin Helmchen is the sparkling pianist: fluent, lithe but never histrionic, not imposing himself: all five players really do seem to be equals….The variation movement, starting with a refined and restrained utterance of the song, swims along delectably….I have fallen for this PentaTone release
hook, line and sinker.