«This is the first solo album by this exceptional pianist, a carefully chosen programme, with each of the three works likely to appeal to the same music-lover.

On this showing, Medvedev is clearly an artist to be watched — and listened to. In by far the largest work on this disc, the Tchaikovsky Sonata, this is a work that in many performances does not appear to possess the personal qualities of many of his other works. It can often seem too Schumannesque and less clear in terms of its ideas to be typical of Tchaikovsky at his finest to make a strong impression — but not in this performance. Medvedev’s playing is beautifully controlled, deeply expressive and full of rhythmic life. He also possesses the occasional exquisite delicacy of touch which the brief Scherzo occasionally demands; indeed, throughout the entire recital these polished and sensitive performances are always sensitive and imaginative, well shaded and rhythmically alive. In the Rachmaninoff pieces, there is great variety and colour here and a perfect command of the instrument.

Medvedev’s playing throughout is always deeply imaginative and is invariably placed at the service of these great composers. It is rare to encounter an artist who plays Russian music with such deep understanding, and this outstanding recording can be most urgently recommended.»