"The music needs to be delivered with commitment, sensitivity to the architecture and the often opaque emotions, and … love: this it receives from Colin Stone…. Most listeners make a journey in their appreciation of Shostakovich, and as time passes since the composer's death, the music continues to emerge in new light. Stone is an artist who moves us forward along the path towards the emerging truth of his finely wrought music."
Graeme Kay, International Piano - January 2010


"Shostakovich wrote his Preludes and Fugues in 1950 after the models of Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier and the key scheme of Chopin's 24 Preludes, largely inspired by the playing of Tatyana Nikolaeva. Colin Stone plays them with tremendous beauty, affection and a sort of self-effacing brilliance: technically dazzling pieces such as the A minor Prelude have plenty of rapidity and glitter, yet without any hard edges or showoff brashness. Instead, his playing is sensible, well-reasoned and engaging; it's like listening to a fascinating discussion between the fugal voices about what Bach and Chopin really meant to the troubled Russian genius."
JD, Classic FM magazine - March 2010

"They play not only with heart-warming commitment but with a real sense of unity and empathy. Colin Stone underpins the ensemble with a fine touch and rich sound; polish-born violinist Krzysztof Smietana's ineffably expressive tone deserves a medal of its own."
Jessica Duchen, Classic FM Magazine - June 2008

"Revelatory version of a spectacular 20th century orchestral masterwork. Hayroudinoff and Stone impress with their knowledge of the score, giving a well-prepared, gutsy performance."
Gramophone - July 2005

"The driving power of Keeley's shaping spirit and the felicity of his invention are unmistakable. Stone plays the work superbly."
Paul Driver, Sunday Times Magazine - September 1999

"The overwhelming mastery of the playing is never in doubt … this is a highly desirable release."
Eric Levi, Classic CD - April 1996