The Boulanger Legacy

“The tone is French refined but utterly individual, decorative-armored. In the adagio, in a post-Romantic omnivorous language, something Beethovenian digs intently for its soulful origins.”

“Vercammen and her Russian piano partner Dina Ivanova (third prize Liszt Competition 2017) are striking talents with creative and original approaches, and the recording by Brendon Heinst leaves nothing to be desired.”

“Vercammen and Ivanova also play enviably well together in Bernstein's Sonata for Violin and Piano, a turbulent youthful work. They find timbres to spare, from viola-like depth to rarefied height. Beautiful how they turn rarely heard pieces into a compelling track.”

“In addition to the elegant and confident technical realization, they convince with a view that can express itself just as strongly as discreetly whispering and still shows a multitude of shades in between. This fine result is complemented by a recording that is as clearly structured as it is full-sounding, drawing the two instruments separately as well as bringing the sound together.”

“The haunting Nocturne initiates the recording with sensitive playing by the duo and a heartfelt rendering of the piece's vocal-like melodies by Vercammen [...] The essence of Piazzolla is captured, be it in the form of dagger-thrusting rhythms or sweetly romantic expressions.”

“Works by Lili Boulanger, Bacewicz, Bernstein and Piazzolla make a fascinating, and imaginative, line-up.”

“Vercammen and Ivanova play this predominantly elegant and lyrical music with a slenderness and refinement, and in a relaxed tone they provide an appealing insight into each of the captivating and appealing works; aided by the spacious and natural-sounding recording.”

“With this pair, chamber music becomes a medium without squeamishness or false vanity. Vercammen and Ivanova make music with their hearts on their sleeves and then, as a listener, you find yourself glued to the spirited sounds of Gracina Bacewicz.”

“Vercammen and Ivanova especially break a lance for Poland's Grazyna Bacewicz with a penetrating performance of her Third Violin Sonata. Bernstein's Violin Sonata is a surprising youthful work, played flawlessly. And that Piazzolla also studied with Nadia says something about her appeal. His Le Grand Tango is absolutely not out of place in this beautifully programmed and performed recital.”

“A terrific collection, superbly played and recorded, and with wittily appropriate artwork.”

“Together with Dina Ivanova, [Merel Vercammen] gives a particularly lovely picture of what kind of beautiful and delicious things were "baked" in the Boulangerie, even long after it closed.”

“Vercammen and Ivanova bring a lovely quicksilver quality to the music as moods flash by, whilst the slow movement is quiet and intense, with a subtly disturbing element to this night time. The scherzo is sharply characterised and brilliant, and we end with a slower movement where we get something of a romantic atmosphere but with intelligent spice in the harmonies.”

“Violinist Merel Vercammen and pianist Dina Ivanova have concocted a fruitful concept: the beautiful-sounding, homogeneous duo has followed in the footsteps of the Boulanger sisters.”