It is no contest, big piano versus one violin. In my opinion far too many piano and solo instrument duets (and I'll include the human voice as one of the latter) are living dangerously because the chosen pianoforte is more suited to compete with a full symphony orchestra in a major piano concerto. It seems to be the case here for although this piano is set back some way, thus enjoying more of the atmosphere of St Luke's, Chelsea, it still overshadows the closer violin of Lydia Mordkovitch. And that is a pity because she plays with remarkable feeling, particularly in the Strauss. Would not a modest Bechstein (superb tonally) in the acoustic of a large drawing-room provide a better frame for both the artists and the Chandos recording skills?'