Koch Schwann

The Romantic Piano:
Moscheles / Mendelssohn / Moszkowski
CD 3-1580-2 H1

Westdeutsche Zeitung:
"... every piece is performed vivaciously, elegantly and with musical brilliance."

Heilbronner Stimme:
"The sparkling, richly nuanced interpretation of this sophisticated salon music is almost unsurpassable."

 
Koch Schwann

Dances for four hands: Moritz Moszkowski
CD 3-1239-2 H1

Philharmonische Blätter (Cologne Philharmonie), Sommerfestival, CD-recommendation:
"... the special merits of this interpretation are homogeneity and fine tuning and, what is more, esprit, vivacity and verve. This is without any doubt an enrichment of the CD repertoire."
 
Koch Schwann

Concertos for one piano four hands and orchestra:
L. Kozeluh / F.J. Fröhlich
CD 3-6504-2 H1

CD Classics-mensile di musica classica:
"... graciously and charmingly performed by excellent pianists..."

Concerto:
"The concerto by Fröhlich is a real discovery: a highly original work. The two (pianists) achieve their task in exemplary ensemble and virtuoso coordination. This CD rescues two valuable works from oblivion and presents them faithfully. To be recommended!"

Piano News:
"The Kölner Klavier-Duo responds to the demands of the music agilely and nimbly without neglecting for one second the "single breath" for the form as a whole.
... the two (pianists) are so attuned to each other, they produce a homogeneous sound which is bewitchingly precise."

Neues vom Phonomarkt, NDR 3:
"Unusually balanced, the pianists Elzbieta Kalvelage and Michael Krücker. The Duo fascinates the listener because they have the same dynamic energy in their touch and they play, as it were, in one breath, with the same phrasing, so much so that the ear cannot tell them apart."

 
Koch Schwann

Concertos for one piano four hands
and orchestra Vol . 2:
L. Abeille / C. Czerny
CD 3-6450-2

SR 2 KulturRadio: CD-Neuheiten
"... it was fun to listen to..."

stereoplay:
"... Elzbieta Kalvelage and Michael Krücker harmonise so brilliantly."

Das Orchester:
"... they take to the two works with delight in virtuoso brilliance and with a love for lyrical detail."

Crescendo:
"Both concertos are distinctly worth hearing, especially since they are played brilliantly and with confident elegance by the Kölner Klavier-Duo.
... leaves nothing more to be desired..."

Piano Wereld:
"... first-rate pianists...
... perfectly attuned to each other...
... you can hear the joy in their playing..."

 
Koch Schwann

Concertos for one piano four hands
and orchestra Vol . 3:
A. Rosenstengel / M. Arnold / H. Osieck / J. Mul
CD 3-6556-2

Applaus:
"That he (Malcolm Arnold) is an absolute master in his field is demonstrated, for example, by a thrilling performance of his music on a CD from the Kölner Klavier-Duo."

Fono Forum:
"... play together in such precise harmony (and with such rousing virtuosity), you could imagine there was only one pianist..."

 
Koch Schwann

Works for Piano Duet:
Julius Röntgen
CD 3-1841-2

classicstoday.com:
Reference Recording
"The Köln duo plays with its usual unanimity of ensemble, healthy musicality, sixth sense for textural variety, and loving preparation from top to bottom.
In sum, this is a must-have for lovers of keyboard rarities and for piano-duet mavens perpetually on the lookout for undiscovered four-hand treasures."
Artistic Quality: 10
Sound Quality: 10

KLASSIK heute: 
"The main and secondary voices of the four hands play together fabulously and attain the most beautifully rich relationship in the Variations op. 17, in the second Waltz Cycle and in Röntgen's Aus der Jugendzeit (From the Days of Youth) op.4."

Luister:
"Splendid, delightful, piano romanticism.
... are interpreted with superb technique and stylish elegance by the Kölner Klavier-Duo."

Fono Forum:
"The Kölner Klavier-Duo put heart and soul into their music..."

Klassieke Zaken:
"... very good interpretation...
... enthralling."

 
Koch Schwann

Romantic Piano Music:
Philipp & Xaver Scharwenka
CD 3-1575-2

Rheinische Post:
"Sheer joy in playing... Piano pleasure pure."
 
Berlin Classics

Klaviermusik zu vier Händen:
Edvard Grieg
CD 0017072 BC

American Record Guide:
Harold C. Schonberg
"... interpret with great enthusiasm..., ... excellently recorded program."
 
Berlin Classics

Romantische Quartette & Gedichte /
Romantic Quartets & Poems

CD 0017382 BC

Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger:
"... an important document from DeutschlandRadio and Berlin Classics."
 
Berlin Classics

Antonin Dvorak:
Klaviermusik zu vier Händen
CD 0012532 BC

Rheinische Post:
Wolfram Goertz
CD tip
"The inspiring Kölner Klavier Duo CD… The Kölner Klavier Duo with Elzbieta Kalvelage and Michael Krücker lets this and a few other gems pearl out exquisitely from Dvorak's treasure chest. The two harmonise so magnificently that you would think: four hands, one thought."

klassik-heute.de
Peter Cossé
"It is very gratifying when a capable piano duo, which plays together as one, succeeds in offering a CD whose repertory is unconventional and rewardingly informative.
Two conservative minuets, a festive march in the style of Franz Liszt and a lively polonaise complement this attractive programme, and it will no doubt appeal widely, not only to specialists."

Die Zeit:
"... is the proof that the arrangements can surpass the original, with the Kölner Klavier-Duo at any rate. The basses reverberate, the chords pulsate, the tempo presses ahead briskly…"

Fono Forum:
"… a distinctive collection. The Kölner Klavier-Duo's presentation captivates through its musical freshness, through a rousing, unindulgent vitality."

Der Landbote, Winterthur:
"Pianistic delight. ... yet another amazing choice of works and quality of interpretation from the Kölner Klavier-Duo. Clarity of the ensemble and musical vivacity permeate their playing, as usual, …"

Luister:
"... outstanding Duo... ... extraordinary programme. The performance of this overwhelming programme is a tremendous celebration from beginning to end... ... infectious musicality... ... sparkling... ... romantic without being heavy, as elegant as Mozart."

Klassik.com:
"… at the highest artistic level… ... impressive… ... play together in absolute oneness…
The emotionality is expressed with sensitivity, and the liveliness of the interpretation is a delight to listen to. ... played with musical bravura, the dynamic presentation is combined with fine differences of touch in a wealth of nuances. The homogeneousness and precisely attuned coordination are impressive and characteristic of the outstanding musical and technical stature…"

 
Arte Nova / BMG

Piano Music for Four hands:
Franz Schubert
CD 74321 43326 2

Dresdner Neueste Nachrichten:
"The lightness of fantasy...
Elzbieta Kalvelage and Michael Krücker make up the internationally renowned Kölner Klavier-Duo and are regular guests on the world's major concert stages. Why the Duo is so successful is revealed by this recording of Franz Schubert's Romantic piano music for four hands.
... the two pianists' performance is marked by utter limpidity, a dialogue of giving and taking...
... (they) hit precisely the right tone of this light-heartedly ornate music."

 
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