HRAudio gives a 5-star rating to the performances and a 4.5-star rating to the sonics on the Hermitage Piano Trio‘s new Rachmaninoff recording:

“ I put this new release in my player with much anticipation. The first thing that struck me was that it produced a sound reminding me of my old LPs before they got scratched and grey. A natural, non-glaring…sound. … Of course, sound is one thing, musical content quite another. But both should go hand in hand. And as far as the musical content is concerned, I was pleased to discover that we have here three dyed-in-the-wool musicians having earned their laurels at prestigious podia. Not just because that is what it says in the liner notes, but, more importantly, what I had the pleasure to savour right from my first listening session. … Hermitage Piano Trio give ample proof that all accolades having come their way are true, painting with a perceptive but nonetheless firm brush a musical picture covering all shades from dark sienna to light blush. In both plaintive élégiaque trios they play with such great and admirably sensitive compassion, respecting not only the long melodic lines but also the sombre mood (especially in the second trio), as though the post-adolescent nostalgia of the Russian master had taken over their brains and veins. This is an account that pays tribute to him and creates delight for the listener. … And wasn’t it high time to have both trios on one disc with detailed, historically informed liner notes and, as the proverbial cherry on the cake, a fine Vocalise arrangement as bonus? What more can one possibly ask for?

—Blangy-le-Château, HRAudio.net

See the full review on HRAudio.net

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