Em Marshall-Luck, Albion Magazine
Presented here alongside Schumann’s Symphonic Etudes, Sterndale Bennett’s Sonata in F minor, op. 13 was written as a wedding gift for Mendelssohn’s marriage in 1837.
A substantial piece lasting over half an hour, it is a beautifully romantic work, challenging and virtuosic for the performer, yet here played with confidence, conviction and tremendous panache by Hiroaki Takenouchi. I was particularly impressed by Takenouchi’s rhythmic flexibility, his well-delineated voicings, and his good juxtaposition of textures in terms of articulation.
The booklet is very well-presented as well, in a clear, crisp, modern style. Takenouchi himself provides the interesting and informative notes on the works (although these are somewhat short), which are presented in English, French, and German.
An excellent release in every way.