To hear selected tracks simply click on those underlined (you will need RealPlayer), or the record company link if it is underlined on the left side of the page.  

To read a review in full, click on the underlined link. 

For further details and how to order copies, simply email.

 

Homage to Paderewski 

RELEASED NOVEMBER 2011

CD OF THE WEEK  DAILY TELEGRAPH
5 de DIAPASON  DIAPASON

"Plowright's playing throughout is sublime" 5*   DAILY TELEGRAPH

"Jonathan Plowright’s newest CD should be a must in the music collection of every Polish music lover" RUCH MUZYCZNY       (to read this article in English click here)

"Plowright donne à entendre comme à son habitude un jeu lumineux, puissant, déclamatoire, et formidablement virtuose."  DIAPASON

"superb command of texture and colour”    BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE

"performances of superlative technique and musicianship...pianism and sheer musical quality of this order are rare"  GRAMOPHONE

"Plowright's enthusiasm, natural musicality, and idiomatic ease with such a wide range of styles makes you forget about his effortless, flexible technical mastery and range of nuance and tone color." CLASSICSTODAY.COM

"with Jonathan Plowright's sumptuous range of colours and dynamic control much in evidence”      INTERNATIONAL RECORD REVIEW

"This sublime CD would be a welcome addition to any collection." CONCERTONET.COM

 

 

   

Johann Sebastian Bach Piano Transcriptions 

RELEASED SEPTEMBER 2010 

GRAMOPHONE RECOMMENDED

NPR Best JS Bach Release of 2010

"it is the outstanding performances by the Yorkshire-born pianist Jonathan Plowright, on whom critics these days seem to lavish nothing but superlatives, that make this a very noteworthy release indeed......all are approached with profound musicality combined with a formidable yet unobtrusive technique more than equal to their significant demands.....I find this an extremely satisfying listening experience, and one I’ve returned to several times. Its appeal, it seems to me, is the tremendous sincerity that characterizes Plowright’s vivid interpretations, his first-rate pianism, and an almost indescribable quality of profound calm that hovers above the entire program. Warmly recommended."  FANFARE USA

"Jonathan Plowright's playing brings them to life with uncommon sensitivity". NPR USA

"Jonathan Plowright's playing is of unfaltering poise and sustained eloquence"  GRAMOPHONE

"glorious interpretations"  THE OBSERVER

"Plowright has done us an enormous service in resurrecting these transcriptions and in rendering them so eloquently"       INTERNATIONAL RECORD REVIEW

‘Jonathan Plowright plays everything with calm, unforced assurance, nicely balancing Bach style and 1930s period manners, and making light of all the left-hand skips needed to suggest Bach’s organ pedal parts.’  BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE

"Plowright proves to be an interpreter of marvellous tonal resources"   MUSICWEB INTERNATIONAL

 

 

 

Rarities of Piano Music at Schloss vor Husum 2009

RELEASED AUGUST 2010

Francis Poulenc - Aubade 

"Francis Poulenc’s Aubade, brilliantly played here by Jonathan Plowright"  MUSICWEB INTERNATIONAL

Hommage à Chopin 

RELEASED FEBRUARY 2010 

CD OF THE WEEK  CLASSIC FM
CD OF THE WEEK  ABC CLASSIC FM
EDITOR'S CHOICE GRAMOPHONE 
DIAPASON D'OR  DIAPASON
TIPP   FONO FORUM 
GERMAN RECORD CRITICS AWARD (Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik)
BEST OF 2010 BLUE NOTE AWARD  ENJOYTHEMUSIC.COM

"as beguiling in intimacy … as he is magisterial in virtuosity."  GRAMOPHONE

"exquisitely played"  FANFARE, USA

'Mompou's 11th variation is the sublimest track on the disc.. It is in places like these that Plowright shows his real qualities as a virtuoso, especially his clarity of texture and instinct for phrasing. Warmly recommended'       BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE

"Plowright's playing - dexterous, crystalline and sensitive - is a joy throughout"  SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

"This disc is a delight"     DAILY TELEGRAPH

"Plowright's dazzling playing can't be faulted"     THE SUNDAY TIMES

" Plowright ist ein brillanter Musiker und ein bei aller Unaufdringlichkeit glänzender Pianist. Seine Stärke ist neben seinem Legato und einer bis zum zartesten Pianissimo herabreichenden Dynamikskala eine ebenso fließende wie geschlossene Gestaltungsweise. Sein Spiel klingt weich, aber nie verschwommen, dynamisch, aber niemals vordergründig. In jeder Hinsicht eine künstlerisch imponierende Veröffentlichung."  FONO FORUM

"Plowrights farbenreicher Anschlag und sein virtuoses Spiel bilden nur die äußeren Voraussetzungen dafür, dass diese Aufnahme gelungen ist. Er hat verstanden, dass die einzelnen Komponisten jeweils andere Facetten Chopins betonen."     NDR KULTUR

"Die meiner Meinung nach interessanteste Chopin-Einspielung geht weit über das Originalwerk des Komponisten hinaus. Es handelt sich um eine Sammlung von Stücken, die unter dem Eindruck der Werke Chopins entstanden sind.... die dem englischen Pianisten Jonathan Plowright Gelegenheit geben, sein Können, aber auch seinen literarischen Spürsinn zu zeigen." KLASSIK HEUTE

"Plowright is simply superb, making one hope there is a second volume of Hommages in the pipeline."  NEW ZEALAND HERALD

"Plowright imaginatively guides us through this wide-ranging repertoire, shifting gear from one piece to the next with little apparent difficulty. A delightful disc with refined pianism."           RADIO NEW ZEALAND 

"The combination of top-flight artist, superb recording quality and truly imaginative, attractive programming seems quintessentially Hyperion. With this disc the enterprising record company has produced yet another winner.  The Balakirev is a triumph.... The work contains moments of great subtlety as well as Islamey-like all-out virtuosity. Jonathan Plowright seems equally at home in either mode of expression."   MUSICWEB INTERNATIONAL

"A fascinating collection, brilliantly dispatched by Plowright."  MAIL ON SUNDAY

"Jonathan Plowright brings superb technique and grace to this anthology of Chopin tributes. Besides his lyrical renditions of the Bender nocturne and other "dreamy" Romantic-era evocations, I was especially impressed by the flintiness and grandeur of his Busoni Variations, by the swagger of his Leschetizky Hommage, and by the contrasting moods of his Villa-Lobos renditions: the damp exoticism of the Nocturne and the flaring melodrama of the Ballade." ENJOYTHEMUSIC.COM

"Fervour et science de l'instrument sont justement les qualités de Jonathan Plowright, déjà remarquèes dans d'autres musiques de traverse..... Pour son orginalité dans une année Chopin qui tourne un peu en rond, pour sa réalisation sobre et intellingente, privilégeant la beauté sonore à la digitalité pure, on ne laissera surtout pas passer ce disque!"   DIAPASON

Henryk Melcer  Piano Concertos 

RELEASED JANUARY 2008

RECOMMENDED  PIANIST MAGAZINE
CONNOISSEURS CHOICE   CLASSIC FM 

"This Hyperion release is simply stunning....The plaudits for Plowright... confirm a colossal musical mind and matching technical ease."   INTERNATIONAL RECORD REVIEW

"Plowright enhances his glowing reputation as a musical alchemist of rare distinction with a transcendent technique."  GRAMOPHONE

"Jonathan Plowright explores more of the Polish keyboard repertoire with these technically unforgiving but hugely enjoyable late 19th-century works by Henryk Melcer.  The second requires tremendous stamina from Plowright, who plays almost continually, ending with a massive final allegro that will take your breath away."   OBSERVER

" Plowright sounds completely unfazed by even the most note-splattered pages, throwing himself into the fray with abandonment and aplomb" CLASSIC FM MAGAZINE

"Jonathan Plowright provides a masterclass in dexterity at the keyboard, rising to meet all of the composer's challenges with a combination of scintillating virtuosity and deft sensitivity. The end of the C minor Concerto's opening movement is particularly telling, as he delivers the brilliant cadenza with utter authority before gently whisking the music away with a flourish of almost impossibly quick semiquavers." MUSICALCRITICISM.COM

"Jonathan Plowright's ability to identify with works of such obscurity and brilliance does him credit. More to the point he has this wonderful ability to articulate to listeners the delights and joys of these utterly forgotten works." MUSICWEB INTERNATIONAL

"Throughout Jonathan Plowright plays with dedication, affection and technical aplomb"  CLASSICALSOURCE.COM

"Given the rarity of the repertoire, Jonathan Plowright and Christoph Konig have done a superb job of absorbing Melcer’s idiom. Care over both works’ expressive rhetoric is everywhere apparent in performances that suggest affectionate familiarity."               BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE

"No matter what Melcer throws at him, Plowright not only emerges completely unscathed but sounds as though he's having the time of his life"    INTERNATIONAL PIANO MAGAZINE

"He is a constant joy."  PIANIST MAGAZINE

 

 

 

Rarities of Piano Music at Schloss vor Husum 2006

RELEASED AUGUST 2007

Bach-Rummel - "Die Seele ruht in Jesu Händen"

"a haunting account .....,  with some of the most magically hushed pianissimo playing you are ever likely to hear".    GRAMOPHONE

 

 Paderewski  Solo Piano

RELEASED AUGUST 2007

Sonata in E flat minor Op 21
Variations and Fugue on an original theme in A minor Op 11
Variations and Fugue on an original theme in E flat minor Op 23           

"The playing is world-class; understated virtuosity at its best. Plowright easily  integrates all the difficult elements – and Paderewski described the Op.23 Variations as his best and most difficult work - into the musical lines as if they don’t exist."    BBC.CO.UK CLASSICAL REVIEW

"it would be hard to imagine playing of greater sympathy or a more intimidating visceral strength and cogency. A pianist who excels in music's darker undercurrents and declamations, he clears every daunting hurdle with awe-inspiring ease, making a formidable case for one of music's neglected byways."      GRAMOPHONE  

"Ein kolossaler Brocken, der sich jedoch unter den Händen eines Interpreten wie Jonathan Plowright als erstklassige Musik entpuppt." PIANO NEWS

"Plowright plays this great piece marvellously and with devotion; the Sonata is a fiendishly difficult work to perform but Plowright has its measure and gives a wonderfully exciting and sensitive performance"  CLASSICAL SOURCE.COM

"Jonathan Plowright plays it quite superbly, with an enviable range of keyboard colour"  THE GUARDIAN

"Not only does he negotiate Paderewski's dizzying virtuoso demands with evident ease, but also his ability to bring an almost string-like tone to the more lyrical passiages constantly fascinates in this excellent recording" BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE

"....tackling the Sonata Op21, which Paderewski admitted was 'extremely difficult' with dazzling confidence.  He applies the same awesome technique to the Brahmsian Variations and Fugues"  THE OBSERVER

"Plowright performs with conviction and panache"   SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

"Plowright has a specific affinity with Polish music and seems ideally attuned to Paderewski's brand of pianism."  DAILY TELEGRAPH

"Jonathan Plowright semble avoir parfaitement saisi que l'esprit qui y souffle est celui de la musique et non du simple piano. Il leur donne une unité, une densité qui méritent l'admiration, soulignant l'envergure et l'humilité d'un compositeur à redécouvrir vraiment"  DIAPASON

"Ce disque globalement très intéressant est parfaitement joué par Jonathan Plowright, avec les moyens idoines."  CLASSICSTODAY.COM

"a brilliant and deeply satisfying performance....it comes with my full recommendation, simply because Plowright is such a fine pianist and the music deserves to be heard."  PIANIST

"there’s no doubt that these are commanding, triumphant and ultra-virtuosic performances of lasting value."  MUSICWEB INTERNATIONAL

"he commands an exquisite range of pastel colors"   FANFARE

Johann Sebastian Bach Piano Transcriptions 
Walter Rummel

"nothing that I've heard even begins to compare with the rapt and refined playing of Jonathan Plowright on these remarkable CDs"  INDEPENDENT

"Jonathan Plowright performs all of these pieces to perfection"  American Record Guide

"One of the finest piano recordings of recent years"  CLASSIC FM 

"Exquisite" BBC RADIO 3

"Plowright is alive to every nuance and detail"  PIANIST

"musical and pianistic greatness"     GRAMOPHONE

"This is masterly, transcendent piano playing on every level....  one of the loveliest piano releases of 2006"   CLASSICSTODAY.COM

"Amazing too is Jonathan Plowright's ability to project these pieces while keeping every voice and nuance in balance. Performances of rare identification and understanding make this a very special release"   BBC Music Magazine

"I really can't imagine Rummel's particular vision of this music being more vibrantly brought to life"  International Record Review

"Plowright’s wonderful voicing brings out the solo part in a beautiful twelve minutes of heart-rending devotion."      MUSICWEB INTERNATIONAL

 

 

Rarities of Piano Music at Schloss vor Husum 2004

Sergei Bortkiewicz - Etude D flat major Op 15/8
A. Harrington Gibbs - Runnin' Wild
Zygmunt Stojowski - Caprice orientale Op 10/2 

"a more disciplined, yet no less thrilling account than Hofmann's"  GRAMOPHONE

"The standout items for me include...Jonathan Plowright's house-bringing down rendition of the Harrington-Gibbs/Art Tatum"  PIANIST

Rarities of Piano Music at Schloss vor Husum 2003

Francis Poulenc - Les Soirées de Nazelles

 "Here is a pianist at the top of his game with meticulous attention to detail, stylistic absorption, and a vivid sense of colour and character; the piano positively purrs with pleasure.   GRAMOPHONE

“This work is beautifully played by the British pianist Jonathan Plowright”   “This is cultured and imaginative playing" MUSIC WEB INTERNATIONAL 

Constant Lambert   Piano Concerto

CD OF THE WEEK  CLASSIC FM
CD OF THE WEEK  THE SUNDAY TIMES
EDITOR'S CHOICE  GRAMOPHONE

"Jonathan Plowright cuts a dash with his scintillating technique, opalescent tone and beguiling range of colour”  GRAMOPHONE

"pianist Jonathan Plowright brings just the right amount of vitality, wit and delicacy.”    BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE

"Plowright and Jones are masterly advocates for this brilliant, entertaining music"    THE SUNDAY TIMES

Sigismund Stojowski  Solo Piano 

CD OF THE MONTH  MUZYKA 21 (Poland)

"his playing is of a superlative warmth, naturalness and virtuosity”    GRAMOPHONE

"once you've heard Plowright storming the heavens I guarantee you'll be well and truly hooked.”     INTERNATIONAL PIANO MAGAZINE

"Jonathan Plowright's glittering, forward moving interpretations and supreme pianistic command make these long dormant works come alive for a new generation of listeners"    CLASSICSTODAY.COM

"A delight.”    BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE

Pensees Musicales   Opus 1
1. Melodie
2. Prelude
 
Deux Orientales   Opus 10
1. Romance
2. Caprice Oriental
 
from Quatre Morceaux   Opus 26
3. Chant d'amour
4. Theme cracovien varie

Fantasie   Opus 38

from Aspirations   Opus 39
1. Vers l'azur
3. Vers le caprice
4. Vers l'amour
5. Vers la joie
 
Variations and Fugue on an Original Theme   Opus 42

 

Sigismund Stojowski  Piano Concertos 

CD OF THE MONTH   MUZYKA 21 (Poland)
RECORDING OF THE YEAR  MUSICWEB INT.
BEST OF THE YEAR CD 2002  AUDIOPHILE AUDITION

"A great musical  event of worldwide proportions"  MUZYKA 21 (Poland)

"This is simply a tremendous release... a truly great recording, an award winner.”    INTERNATIONAL RECORD REVIEW

"Jonathan Plowright is on breathtaking form"   International Piano

"two gloriously worthwhile rarities in superb performances”   GRAMOPHONE

“Jonathan Plowright plays both concertos brilliantly”  AMERICAN RECORD GUIDE

"le jeu brillant et scintillant de Jonathan Plowright"   LA SCENA MUSICALE

“Jonathan Plowright has the chops and instinct for this kind of music”           FANFARE USA

"breathtaking virtuosity"  BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE

"Throughout this disc Jonathan Plowright's playing is simply a knockout"    MUSICWEB INTERNATIONAL

Piano Concerto No1 in F sharp minor Op3
Andante poco mosso - Allegro un poco maestoso - Lento, poco a poco animato - Doppio movimento
Andante sostenuto e molto cantabile
Allegro con fuoco - Presto - Più presto

Piano Concerto No2 in A flat major  (Prologue, Scherzo and Variations) Op32
Prologue: Andante con moto
Scherzo: Presto
Variations: Tema, variations I-X

Paderewski  Solo Piano

“Plowright’s musical judgement is exemplary, with exquisite shaping of phrases and range of colour...  the playing is superb”  GRAMOPHONE

Chants du Voyageur Op.8
Allegro agitato
Andantino melancolico
Andantino grazioso e moderato
Andantino mistico
Allegro giocoso

Humoresques de Concert Op.14
Menuet
Sarabande
Caprice
Burlesque
Intermezzo Pollaco
Krakovienne Fantastique

Series de Morceaux Op.16
Legende
Melodie
Theme Varié
Nocturne
Legende
Un Moment Musicale
Menuet in A

Jonathan Plowright  Recital  

"one of the most accomplished and complete artists in Britain today" CD REVIEW

Scriabin Sonata No.2 (Sonata Fantasie) in G# minor
Andante
Presto

Janacek Sonata X 1905
Presentiment: con moto
Death: adagio

Szymanowski Theme & Variations in Bb minor Op.3

Paderewski Nocturne Op.16 No.4

Rachmaninov Six Moments Musicaux Op.16 (1896)
Andantino con moto
Allegro
Andante Cantabile
Presto
Adagio sostenuto
Maestoso

Chopin Solo Piano, vol. 1

“distinguished Chopin playing by a master musician”      “he has an uncanny knack of making the most familiar music sound fresh and interesting”      BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE

Ballade No.1 in G minor Op.23

Ballade No.3 in A flat major Op.47

Fantasie in F minor Op.49

Berceuse Op.57

Scherzo No.2 in B flat minor Op.31

Scherzo No.3 in C sharp minor Op.39

Brahms Solo Piano 

"Plowright is an outstanding pianist, both powerful and tender" CLASSIC CD

Klavierstücke Op.76
Capriccio in F# minor
Capriccio in B minor
Intermezzo in Ab major
Intermezzo in Bb major
Capriccio in C# minor
Intermezzo in A major
Intermezzo in A minor
Capriccio in C major

Two Rhapsodies Op.79
Rhapsody in B minor
Rhapsody in G minor

Sonata No.3 in F minor Op.5
Allegro maestoso
Andante espressivo
Scherzo: Allegro energico
Intermezzo: Andante molto
Allegro moderato ma rubato

Capital Virtuosi  Recital 

“On the evidence of this, their first recording, they have much to offer, largely because of the very keen rapport existing between the players and the group's founder, pianist Jonathan Plowright"
GRAMOPHONE

Mozart Piano concerto in F major K413
Allegro
Larghetto
Tempo di Menuetto

Bach Concerto for 2 Violins in D minor
Vivace
Largo ma non tanto
Allegro

Haydn Piano Concerto in D major Hob.XVIII/II
Vivace
Un poco adagio
Rondo all'Ongharese: Allegro assai

Pachelbel Canon in D major