From precocious child through to acclaimed Hollywood film composer, Korngold's career never ran quite true to form. Although hailed as a true child prodigy by Strauss and Mahler, his true promise as a composer of varied and substantial works was never quite fulfilled. However, from his earliest works, Korngold wrote highly personal and astoundingly virtuosic music for the piano. Here the piano works are collected together for the first time, including a number of world premiere recordings. Reviews "Martin Jones has always been one of the most exploratory of pianists and his four-CD set of the Korngold piano music is a valuable addition to the catalogue. The early music is of astonishing precocity and pianistic assurance - and some of it (such as the second of the Four Waltzes) touching. The Second Sonata, composed when Korngold was 13, is a finely wrought piece, played with great conviction by Jones. There are some delightful shorter pieces which are quite haunting. A worthwhile set with well-balanced and truthful recorded sound." The Penguin Guide "In the September 2004 issue, Bryce Morrison gave an enthusiastic welcome to Martin Jones's complete Mompou cycle. It is a pleasure to give an equally hearty three cheers to another complete cycle from the same pianist. When so few 'completes' are ever wholly satisfying in the hands of a single artist, the indefatigable Jones proves an exception. Why his 'scrupulously sensitive but self-effacing artistry' (BM) is not more widely acclaimed is baffling... These four well-filled discs are completed by Rebay's substantial (18'31") Grand Fantasy on themes from 'Die tote Stadt', and Korngold's fantasy on Johann Strauss themes - collectors of 'Blue Danube' variations need not hesitate! Stylish, lovingly prepared, classily played and with an excellent 10-page booklet from Korngold's biographer Brendan G Carroll, I cannot praise too highly this valuable addition to the catalogue." -Gramophone