she's up there with the best...there's much of the tonal and dynamic palette that this music needs, characterising the forceful and passionate, as well as the shadowy and understated. She has a good feel for organic rubato,which never loses the underlying pulse, and can change mood and colour almost instantaneously.

Ibragimova has made many fine recordings in recent years, but this solo Ysaye disc must count as one of her most memorable achievements...If we think of Ibragimova as a thoughtful, even scholarly player, here she proves herself adept at all the frequent showy tricks...she takes her place now as one of the most distinguished exponents of these fascinating works.

Together, the sonatas form a freewheeling ride to the limits of violin technique, often recalling Bach but more often not. Alina Ibragimova is a superb advocate; nothing here sounds like a mere showpiece, and her performances brim with lyricism and wit.

Nothing in the violin canon is quite like this: the ghost of Bach lurks behind each sonata, but their character is distinct: there is wry humour, grave beauty and daring impetuosity. Ibragimova transfixes throughout.