"An excellent pairing...these three trios. The sound is outstanding. Close, immediate yet not over-reverent. Everything has been combined to have the music, the essence of the music, be what remains with you when the last note has died away."
MusicWeb International
"Formed in 2000, the Kempf Trio has now disbanded, but not before Freddy Kempf (piano), Pierre Bensaid (violin) and Alexander Chaushin (cello) made much sweet music together, especially in Russian repertoire, as this 2004 recording shows. The Schnittke Piano Trio is the highlight: ghostly music, still and pained, projected with suitably wispy unease. For Shostakovich's passionate wartime Trio No. 2, the finale really needs more ferocity, but Kempf's responsive playing is always a delight. So is the vibrant recording."
The Times
"This is the first CD to show Schnittke truly on a level with Shostakovich."