WHAT’S ON: New Year in Vienna, with Royal Northern Sinfonia conducted by Clemens Schuldt, at Sage Gateshead at 3pm and 7pm today(ThursdayJanuary1). Hosted by Classic FM’s John Suchet. Box office: 0191-443 4661.

REVIEWS: Konstantia Gourzi (ECM New Series ECM481 0988)

The Greek composer Konstantia Gourzi makes her debut on the ECM label with Music for Piano and String Quartet, performed by Lorenda Ramou and Ensemble Coriolus. Her compositions use fleeting melodic gestures enriched with other elements and aerated by pauses, while maintaining a tranquil flow. Gourzi’s String Quartet has a dreamlike quality and includes the chirping of crickets and ancient strains of an ancient Greek bouzouki song. The album is rounded off with string of brief piano pieces, a pair of works for piano quintet, String Quartet No 1 Israel. Entrancing and compelling listening.

Rachmaninoff Complete Piano Works Vol 1 (Odradek Records ODRCD315)

Portuguese pianist Artur Pizarro embarks on a survey of the complete solo works of Sergei Rachmaninoff released over the next few months. On this first volume the Leeds Piano Competition winner conveys the monumental passion of the Piano Sonata No 2 along with Etudes-tableaux and many lesser known miniatures. Played with dynamism, this promises to be a great series.

Gavin Engelbrecht