Lane and the Goldner Quartet offer fabulously ‘golden age’-style performances, in keeping with the aesthetics of both works…The prove ideal guides, captivating the ear with their sense of rhythm and awareness of lurking shadows in the Bartók, wholehearted joy in the Korngold opening and that slow movement’s sensual gorgeousness.

The Goldner String Quartet and Piers Lane seem ideal advocates of both pieces: Romantic and unbuttoned in the Bartók, subtle, rapt, and dreamy in the Korngold. The Potton Hall acoustics show off both works to wonderful advantage, and the notes—as alluded to earlier—are superb.

Come the opening of Korngold’s Quintet, where you could as well be sampling a chamber reduction of lavish music for the movies The Sea Hawk or Elizabeth and Essex, and the Lane/ Goldner Quartet combination comes into its own...Performance-wise the Goldners indulge some well-aimed expressive portamentos but what is most important is that their performance, Lane’s too, really does get the message across.

Relishing this approachable late/post Austro-Hungarian repertory, Piers Lane gives keenly integrated readings, variously dramatic and grand (Bartók), effusive, tender and puckish (Korngold). The Australian Goldner String Quartet lend pedigree, richly toned support, excelling in the more rarefied exposed passages.

Thoroughly enjoyable, with playing that is beyond reproach...first class.

Faultless ensemble playing and rare repertoire makes a welcome release