Rachmaninov Variations.
Daniil Trifonov (piano), Philadelphia Orchestra.
Deutsche Grammophon CD.
Dazzling performances by Trifonov, the Russian-born pianist, now 24, who has been in the US since 18.
So great was his passion for Rachmaninov that he wrote his own five-part solo suite Rachmaniana, played on the disc with 25 of the Russian composer's variations in Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, (with orchestra conducted by Yannick Nezet-Seguin), plus Variations on a Theme of Chopin, and Variations on a Theme of Corelli, both written for solo piano.
These all display great keyboard virtuosity, mixing technically brilliant exuberance with subtlety in thrilling fashion.
The popular Paganini theme with 25 of its variations was recorded live in Philadelphia with excellent sound, and the three solo works in New York with a slightly softer piano timbre. Verdict: Exciting and inspiring piano.
Haydn Opus 20 Nos.1, 3 and 4.
Tinalley String Quartet. Move CD
This is the Australian string quartet's first CD released after winning the 9th Banff International String Quartet Competition (2007) and various other honours in Australia.
It has performed in Europe, America, Canada and Australia.
The quartet (Adam Chalabi and Lerida Delbridge, violins; Justin Williams, viola; and Michelle Wood, cello) was formed at Melbourne University in 2003 and mentored by many fine groups like the Takacs and Schoenberg quartets.
Haydn's Op.20 quartets, written in the 18th century, pioneered a new style in composition for four instruments that many composers gladly followed or developed.
Strad magazine recommended listening to these fine performances as ''technically assured, warm-toned, beautifully blended and ideally balanced''.
The quartets were all ground-breaking compositions, in the ways outlined in the booklet.
