C minor op 30 no 2
Alfredo Campoli & Peter Katin.
Live performance from the Fairfield halls Croydon.
Here are some review quotations to confirm the superb performance and audiophile recording quality:
MusicWeb International
“…this release consists of entirely discography-filling material … The recorded sound is excellent … A warm welcome […] to this disc, which offers considerable rarity value to the violin aficionado.”
—Jonathan Woolf, MusicWeb International, August 2009
Audiophile Audition
“The live recordings […] show some of the ‘bel canto’ playing for which Campoli was so well known … The recording is very good indeed though the violin is quite closely miked, giving an intimate feel to the playing.” [Rating ★★★★]
—Peter Joelson, Audiophile Audition, 28th September 2009
Fanfare
“…I’ve never heard [Campoli’s] fabled tone (nor perhaps anyone else’s) in such vivid fidelity; a similar lushness characterizes the piano’s tone as well … even if the performance didn’t flow so smoothly as it does, the recorded sound would magnify all the reading’s virtues in ratio in which many recordings diminish them.”
“At moments, Campoli’s sound could freeze a windsock in a hurricane … these live performances sound communicative as well as brilliant … This issue deserves to be a part of most collections … Very strongly recommended.”
—Robert Maxham, Fanfare 33:4, March/April 2010
American Record Guide
“The beauty of this recording is in the stellar playing, the sincerity of the musicianship, the straightforward sophistication of the interpretations, and the intimacy and high quality of the recorded performances.”
—Elaine Fine, American Record Guide , July/August 2010
International Record Review
“…as well as Campoli’s lovely and very individual sound, the intelligence and responsiveness of his playing is captivating, matched by the combination of energy and subtlety in Katin’s Mozart playing – a particular joy here.”
“…it is a great musical treat to hear these two musicians in this work [Brahms], especially their very expansive reading of the slow movement and the discipline and vigour of the finale.”
—Nigel Simeone, International Record Review, June 2012
Musical Pointers
“These are compelling duo recordings … The three popular sonatas come out of the loudspeakers with stunning presence and immediacy. Recommended, and do explore this special small label.”
—Peter Grahame Woolf, Musical Pointers, June 2012
The Strad
“…in an outstanding programme, the great duo of Alfredo Campoli and Peter Katin play [the Mozart and Beethoven] with exquisite taste, refinement and velvety tone…”
“The [‘unforgettable’ Brahms performance] captures the magical intimacy of two great musicians making music together at home, and the results are spellbinding. Strongly recommended.”
—The Strad, July 2012
BBC Music Magazine
“Remarkably clear recordings enable us to savour the warmth and passion of Campoli’s playing. Katin, too, is admirable, maintaining rock-solid ensemble.”
—BBC Music Magazine, December 2012
