Review by Robert Matthew-Walker, Musical Opinion Magazine, March/April 2010
This exceptionally gifted young player delivers performances of very high quality throughout this well recorded CD. The second book of Brahms’s Paganini Variations is perhaps more technically demanding than the first, but Ms Francis dispatches the work’s difficulties so well that one is forced to concentrate upon the musical expression rather than her virtuosity. Her account of the first Brahms Sonata is also very good indeed, especially in the demonic Scherzo, yet her sensitivity is also much to be admired. Her Liszt playing is quite outstanding, and every one of these performances has to be counted as being very impressive. Grace Francis’s combination of deep musicianship and commanding virtuosity are really fine and this CD I am sure will be one of my records of the year.