There's a strongly lyrical impulse in Arabella Steinbacher's playing which is suited to the intimate character of these Sonatas...Robert Kulek is an admirable duo partner and projects both the richness and clarity of texture in Brahms's writing through a carefully controlled use of the pedal, responding wit sensitivity to the subtle inflections in Steinbacher's phrasing. Pentatone's recording has real presence

Arabella Steinbacher and Robert Kulek approach these timeless scores with a velvet-gloved tenderness and affection that dispels any sense of Brahms being an 'intellectual' composer. Steinbacher produces a sensuous sound of beguiling purity that sends Brahms's rich cantabile lines soaring aloft and receives wonderfully sympathetic support from Kulek...in terms of sheer beauty of sound Steinbacher and Kulek have no rivals.

How far you enjoy this disc will depend on how you like your Brahms served up. There's much to admire in Steinbacher's sound and you may not find the deliberate tempos as indulgent as I did, in which case proceed with great haste.