Petits-fours: Favourite Encores

“...where most such collections offer a mixed bag for you to select at will, this one offers a satisfying sequence when played end to end... Cunningly, the sequence ends with one of the gentlest numbers, Debussy’s song ‘Beau soir’. Cassidy is again responsible for most of the arrangements in the sequence. What is so striking about the playing of the Brodsky Quartet throughout is their brimming love for the music, with some ravishing shading down to the most hushed pianissimos. All this is caught in wonderfully rich and transparent sound, a credit to the Chandos engineers.” --Gramophone magazine, June 2012

“What better way for the Brodsky Quartet to celebrate its 40th birthday than with a sumptuously engineered recital of champagne encores skilfully arranged by the quartet’s viola player, Paul Cassidy and former leader Andrew Haveron? Acclaimed for their probing musicianship, the Brodsky Quartet blow the musical cobwebs off some of the most cherishable miniatures in the repertoire ... Here’s to the next 40 years.” --BBC Music magazine, April 2012 - Performance *****      Recording *****

"...what fabulous arrangements these are! All four players share the limelight- melodies and virtuosic turns are equally parceled out. And they’re also audible, that to the warm, resonant, clear and (above all) balanced engineering. What a tribute this album serves to this group, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year... The Brodsky’s timbre on this album is superbly polished... what is especially remarkable here is their breadth of styles... This is the perfect album for background music to brighten your day or dinner party." --American Record Guide, July/August 2012