Hyperion's new release is full of music that mixes Chopinesque grace with Russian-bear grandiosity. Driver is the sort of pianist who can handle both, delivering performances of poise, power and no shortage of passion.

Driver presents [Islamey] in a tonally ravishing and lucid performance of the utmost sensitivity...the disc is unquestionably another feather in the cap of a pianist whose every new release is now eagerly anticipated.

It's wonderful to see a talent such as this continuing to address the more obscure pianistic byways, and here Driver has assembled a fabulous array of works from Balakirev's very varied keyboard output...This is a fabulous introduction to the very diverse and unduly neglected works by one of the finest of nineteenth-century pianist composers.

In particular, the piano sonata in B flat minor is a terrific, big-hearted piece, unlike anything else from its period, and its neglect in the concert hall is surely due a reappraisal. Driver adds several other delicious treats...Impressive playing throughout

This is by no means gratuitously embroidered music but, as Driver also shows, music of sometimes tender, plaintive emotion, as in a B minor Nocturne...Bravo to Hyperion for championing this music and to Driver for playing it with such sensitivity, polish and élan.