Sinae Lee
review
Summerfest 2, RSAMD, Glasgow
......And then there was Beethoven, represented by four of his Scottish song
arrangements for George Thomson, featuring piano trio and, in this case, soprano.
Now this might be Beethoven in near off-duty mode, at his most relaxed and
avuncular, but the piano trio arrangements, splendidly-played by violinist Ani
Batikian, cellist Andrew Huggin and pianist Sinae Lee in accompaniment to
soprano Fiona Scott's richly characterful singing, were top-drawer Beethoven;
there was not a tokenistic or offhand note in these pieces, which are miniature
masterworks in their own right. We don't hear them often enough.
Michael Tumelty (The Herald, Glasgow)
CD Reviews: Karol Szymanowski, The Complete Piano Works (Divine Art 21400)
“ This astounding set is as essential a purchase as the acclaimed Simon Rattle/EMI
recordings of the orchestral works, and it is the most important collection ever to
have been released of Szymanowski’s piano music. Sinae Lee’s release sets new
standards for the performance of Szymanowski’s piano music, and her quest for
accuracy has not in any way inhibited her playing’s wonderful sense of spontaneity.
I am confident that any listeners responsive to late-Romantic music who buy this
superb set will share my enthusiasm for it.”
– Raymond Clarke (MusicWeb)
“To hear the sound universe of Szymanowski in all its splendour, one needs the
ove and sensitivity of Korean pianist Sinae Lee, who offers this new performance
in a brilliant recording on Divine Art. The result, quite simply is that everything
here runs admirably right from the beginning and is quite simply extraordinary.”
– Michel Tibbaut (Radio Belge)
“There is no excuse for hesitation… a truly rewarding experience. Jaw-droppingly
good with a delivery that is staggering in its ability to bring out the nuances within
the music. Wonderful and seemingly effortless control, immaculate phrasing and
beautiful coloration, resulting in performances I’ve never heard equalled.”
– Steve Arloff (MusicWeb)
“A young pianist unfazed by the exotic and complex demands… Lee’s command
and lucidity are unfaltering… she is as true to the spirit as to the letter of every
bar. Unflagging brio and refinement…an astonishing achievement”
– Bryce Morrison (Gramophone)
“Sinae Lee certainly has the technical ability to master this repertory… she
projects the msuci with a real sense of forward momentum and intensity…
managing to bring welcome transparency of texture to the involved contrapuntal
layering.”
(Performance Sound )
- Erik Levi (BBC Music Magazine)
“Lee is the choice…her fingers are as clever as her brain… Sinae lee’s is the
complete version to have”
– Marius Dawn (Pianist Magazine)
“A terrific survey of Szymanowski’s works… Lee’s sensitive and probing
performances of Szymanowski provide a marvellous, fulfilling and informative
way to spend four hours”
- David Lewis (All Music Guide)
For full reviews click here.