"Thrilling and flamboyant, tender and passionate, vibrant and dynamic, Magalhães and Schumann excel in the raptly uplifting and colourful writing of El Salón México. I am puzzled why I have not come across the excellent duo of Magalhães and Schumann previously. What an outstanding partnership they make and just where have they been hiding? I was especially impressed by their unison and the magnificent range of keyboard colour achieved is remarkable. Playing their stunning Bösendorfer model 280 concert grand pianos the assured duo provide interpretations that could scarcely be bettered. There is much excellent music to enjoy here. In fact I loved this disc from start to finish."
Michael Cookson, MusicWeb International, 20 Aug 2009
"The central Valse of No. 1 with its delicate hesitations and stately confidence is memorable. The Polonaise finale of No. 1 is part romp part grand strut. The Second Suite is in four movements. The first is the melodramatic Le Savant, suggestive of the supernatural and mediums. La Coquette is suitably well coquettish with a glint in the eye and an inveigling smile. Polichinelle is played to the shuddering hilt. Splendid stuff. You can really feel the excitement in the playing. Overall then this is one of the finest piano duo discs with some really exciting playing amid an intrepid choice of repertoire."
Rob Barnett, MusicWeb International, 20 Aug 2009
"Schumann and Magalhães are magnificent. The numerous virtuoso passages - executed here in astounding unity - are presented with an abundantly flamboyant approach, and fortissimi and pianissimi follow one another as if constituting a natural gesture. The essential thing is that the two pianists are in complete control of the enormous structure. That is why their give and take, the continually pulsating tension points in the work, is so impeccable. This is profound music-making - although music for two pianos so often gives the impression of showing off - and this happens precisely because their technical skills do not in the least affect their purposeful 'attack'. It is all very exciting, but in between the surges, amazing chord passages and lightning-like leaps and bounds, there lies inherent musicality and loads of musical expressiveness. This is a product of the highest quality, comparable to top-quality products on the international circuit and CD market. It is a recording which, like those of Cliburn and Arrau decades ago, will afford hours of listening and repeated listening pleasure."
Thys Odendaal, Beeld, 12 Aug 2009
"The repertoire chosen for their second CD release is a masterpiece, listening to the CD is much like attending a very entertaining and exciting concert. The Lutoslawski Paganini variations for two pianos has a marvellous jagged feel which is not easy to play. This is truly creative stuff, the variations are rhythmically and harmonically charged with almost an angry energy, Schumann & Magalhães show remarkable restraint in not going over the top. Copland’s El Salón México arranged for two pianos by Leonard Bernstein is a tour de force, a must listen for rhythmic virtuosity."
Mike Ford, ClassicFM, 4 Sept 2009
"A new recording of Rachmaninov's complete works for two pianos is always an eye-opener and this CD from Nina Schumann and Luis Magalhães, which also includes an interesting DVD, does not disappoint. Of the two Suites I particularly liked the second, not just because of the duo's spectacularly flighty exposition of the Valse, a presto which is rendered all the more impactful by the relaxed sway of its 'big tune' , but because of its close to impeccable alignment of fingerwork, which keeps buoyant the all-important rhythmic dimension while never assailing the ear with uninvited brashness. The Symphonic Dances started life in the form it appears on the disc, and its demands are as daunting for this ensemble as in the orchestral version. Schumann and Magalhaes are fully equipped for the task, which speaks as highly of their imagination for the music’s ever-altering temporal terrain as of their pianism per se. The finale, a most exacting movement taking the form of Lento assai – Allegro Vivace, is a treatise in duo playing, always mindful of the darker episodes but equally responsive to the music's fleeting moments of levity. The duo should be pleased with their rendition of the Six Morceaux, Op. 11, for the 'scherzo' growls and guffaws with terrific pizzazz while the 'valse' is as poetic as it is dynamic. This set, sensitively recorded and thoughtfully put together, deserves great success."
Mark Tanner, International Record Review
"Rachmaninoff left his homeland and soon became an international music figure. But I doubt he would have dreamt that his legacy would travel so quickly to the southern point of Africa. It is barely one generation later and his complete works for two pianos are released in Stellenbosch, and if today the composer heard this excellent recording, he would certainly be proud. Nina Schumann and her husband, Portuguese-born pianist Luis Magalhaes, recorded an ambitious program with great flair and artistic empathy. One realizes that even the best composers can only put beautiful melody, interesting harmony and rhythmic patterns on paper. It is still the performer who must understand and transmit the essence of the musical feeling. ...with the Symphonic Dances it is clear that the duo understands not only the detail, but also the greater architectonic structure."
Louis Heyneman, Die Burger
"The interpretations of Schumann and Magalhães are extremely solid: the ensemble is very well coordinated and the balance/equilibrium of the duo is a rule. Thanks to their interpretations, the works here presented sound like one piano with the power and capabilities of two..."
Bernardo Mariano, Sons Diário de Notícias
"What makes a musician an idol? I wonder upon feeling the electricity in the hall with the stage entry of the duo Nina Schumann and Luis Magalhães. This duo plays the role perfectly: with excellent playing and material for a fairytale – a couple who makes music together... the Rachmaninoff-encore highlighted their wide-ranging expressive abilities. Maybe this is their secret: the sharp intellect which contributes to the fun of the lighter works, but also the deeply-felt musicality which makes the heavier works shine."
Mathildie Thom, Die Burger
"With his wife Nina Schumann, they complete each other in such way that they will be real competition for the mythical Labeque 'sisters'– world reference on the two piano repertoire. The audience delirious, standing, at the end of the first half."
José Atalaya, Jornal de Notícias
"Their interpretations have enormous energy, shine and enthusiasm. Ensemble and balance between the pianos were always excellent but a feeling of spontaneity permeated the music which created unpretentious time inflections. The mood varied between strong grandeur in the first movement, intimate tenderness in the second, warm-blooded sonority and excitement in the scherzo, and a mysterious slow introduction before the finale's triumphant climax. The repertoire for two pianos are limited, but if it is played by the talented Magalhaes and Schumann duo, it remains a listening pleasure."
Pieter Kooij, Die Burger
"From the first notes one become aware of how much TwoPianists enjoy their own performance. The timing – including ensemble, rubatos and silences – is almost supernatural. Coupled with this they use the dynamic range of the piano well – they almost create piano theater, which is not merely used for effect. In Copland's El Salón México TwoPianists once again stunned with their technique, timing and interpretation. It is however the pure fun that is the decisive ingredient. A fellow-concertgoer summed it up: 'I like two pianos – it's a lot of sound!' Naturally. And impressive too."
Willem Bester, Die Burger
