Two exceptionally fine performances here: Yakov Kasman can be a wild player, but in Shostakovich's Quintet he is as persuasive in passages of dark introspection as in the clamorous rhetoric that comes so naturally to him. The Talich Quartet are equal partners in a multi-faceted reading of a work whose full expressive range is rarely so convincingly.

45 minutes is very short measure, but the standard of performance is outstanding.     

SHOSTAKOVICH, Piano quintet in G minor, op.57 (Scherzo)

Creativity is not something that can be turned on and off like a tap . . . 
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And since jewels worthy of the name can only be offered in special cases, the albums La Dolce Volta releases are themselves works of art: each record cover is an original work of art; the digipack’s inner sleeve includes a booklet in four languages and an interview with the musician. A bandeau is wrapped around each album, on which is printed the name of the soloist, the name of the composer, and the work performed. 
For La Dolce Volta, music is not just a shrink-wrapped object for sale. Like all beautiful things in life, it must come to fruition naturally, the result of careful craftsmanship, and offered like an exquisite flower. 
For La Dolce Volta music is a question of elegance and beauty without concessions.

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