(...) I have always revered Rubinstein’s performances and Evgeni Koroliov’s are in the same vein. Koroliov’s mazurkas are above all, songful. He plays with full, rounded tone, relatively leisurely pacing, and is more likely to let things dissolve into reverie than to supply extra nervous energy. He plays with a certain reserve, but with plenty of rhythmic lilt, elegance, and subtle rubato. It was a pleasure to listen to all 25 at one sitting. (...) For warm-hearted performances that are more nostalgic than jaunty and more introspective than aggressive, Evgeni Koroliov is highly recommended. He is helped by a flattering acoustic in Tacet’s recording.
Paul Orgel

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