Nicely filmed and recorded with rich sound is this, the Russian debut of the brilliant young Chinese violinist, playing two great concertos, the Tchaikovsky Op.35 and Brahms Op.77, both in D major.
She is ably backed by the St Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra conducted by Vladimir Lande. The setting is the magnificent Court Capella with its 1891 organ and great acoustics.
Yang plays with flawless intonation and remarkable intensity.
Her energy in the Tchaikovsky never lags. It is played at pace with absolute precision, and the Brahms is slower but equally impressive.
Then she delights solo with Belgian violinist-composer Ysaye's Sonata No.3 (3Ballade) and, as a bonus, the five-part Bach Partita No.2 in D minor BWV 1004.
Highlight: Visual and aural treat for music-lovers.
Wellington-based pianist Kemp English continues his very ambitious series on replica instruments (harpsichord and fortepiano, ancestors of the modern pianoforte).
It is geared to present the complete 50 keyboard sonatas written by the Czech composer Leopold Kozeluch (1747-1818).
Living in 18th-century Vienna, and a contemporary of Mozart, Kozeluch was known as a pianist and teacher in the period when the harpsichord and clavichord advanced into the fortepiano and the ''classical sonata'' form became developed over several decades.
Few of Kozeluch's sonatas have been available in modern editions until recently when Christopher Hogwood edited his complete edition.
This volume contains four more of these interesting sonatas in four different keys, enjoyably played by the dedicated English.
Highlight: Old music, new to the ears.
