Sergei Bortkiewicz: Piano Works vol.1-4
In general, the Finnish pianist Jouni Somero plays the music more deliberately than Trapmann, which usually translates to slower tempi. Somero seems more in touch with the spirit of the composer; he never drags, but finds enough space to let the music bloom. He uses a wider dynamic range and seems more intereted in exploring the colors of the instrument. Trapmann, whom I praised in my review of his set, now sounds a bit glip in comparison, as if he is reading though the music in order to complete the set. Somero does the music greater justice, compelling the listener to want to hear more. Fanfare Magazin USA Jan/Feb. 2011

Vol.1-2

Sound quality is very good, though in Volume 2, the piano does sound slightly laboured. The CD booklets are decidedly pro forma. Those able to read Somero's Finnish original do get more information for their money - the Finnish provides extra biographical paragraphs and a cursory description of the works in Somero's programme. There are typos in the English version that occur in both volumes - for example, one instance in which the composer's name is spelt 'Bortkiwicz'.

For anyone who relishes unforgettable melodies harmonised with imagination in superbly crafted, often profound miniatures, these two volumes are unmissable. This promises to be a marvellous series. Musicweb International 11/2011

Read more:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2011/Dec11/Bortkiewicz_pno_5_fcrcd9736.htm
Vol.5

All three works in Somero's recital are superbly lyrical, with individual pieces characterised, almost without exception, by unforgettable melody, delectable harmony and irrepressible rhythms sensuously swathed in a mellifluous timelessness, with the well-judged contrastive flourish or outburst of scintillating virtuosity and dramatic intensity. Grieg, Schumann, Liszt, Alkan and early Skriabin are all sometimes brought to mind, but on this disc it is Chopin's spirit that dwells again in Bortkiewicz - whose originality is, nevertheless, unimpeachable.

On the whole, though, this makes five out of five quality discs, all of which have much pleasure and interest to offer pianophiles in particular and music-lovers in general. This latest gem-studded volume itself verges on the indispensable. Musicweb International 12/2011

Read more:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2011/Dec11/Bortkiewicz_pno_5_fcrcd9736.htm

Vol.1 & 5;

While Lamentations et Consolations has been recorded before by Stephen Coombs on Hyperion, it appears the other works on the current disc aren?t currently available, making this a significant release. That?s especially true since Finnish pianist Jouni Somero, a student of György Cziffra, has Bortkiewicz?s late-Romantic pianistic lexicon at his fingertips. Somero is a fine colorist and, being a Cziffra student, can do full justice to the Lisztian strain so prominent in Bortkiewicz?s early style, including, of course, the explosive virtuosic turns here and there in this collection.

It?s very appealing that Volume 1 includes works from early and late in Bortkiewicz?s career. Presumably, future installments will follow the same course. With a varied program, superior pianism, and natural piano sound, this first volume bodes well for the rest of the series. Stay tuned!
Audiophile Audition 10.3.2012 Read more:
http://audaud.com/2012/03/bortkiewicz-piano-works-vols-1-5-jonni-somero-p-fc-records-finland-2-cds/



An Anthology of Finnish Piano Music Vol.1-5 Rewie in Music web international 11/2011:

"A generous and adventurous cross-section of Finnish piano music in elite versions and healthy open recordings."

Read more:

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2011/Nov11/Anthology_Finnish.htm

Rebikov: Piano Works Rewie in MusicWeb international 4/12 "Finnish pianist Jouni
Somero is a pianistic powerhouse. He vies in multifarious enthusiasm for neglected composers with the likes of Michael Ponti in his Vox piano concerto series in the 1970s. He has already given us five volumes of Finnish piano music, a series of eight volumes of Bortkiewicz as well as single disc selections by Godard and many others. This is the fifth disc in his Russian Project. Previous instalments were: FCRCD-9720 Tchaikovsky 1; FCRCD-9724 Arensky; FCRCD-9728 Tchaikovsky 2; FCRCD-9732 Rubinstein"
Read more:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2012/Apr12/REBIKOV_piano_FCRCD9739.htm

Salmenhaara: Piano Chamber
Music: "Very nice, Romantic sounding and easy to listen to" Read more:
http://audaud.com/2012/06/erkki-salmenhaara-piano-chamber-music-sonata-for-violin-and-piano-sonata-per-cello-e-pianoforte-trois-scenes-de-nuit-sonata-no-2-jouni-somero-pianoraymond-cox-v/