Rachmaninov: The Piano Concertos – Paganini Rhapsody
Valentina Lisitsa, piano
London Symphony Orchestra
Michael Francis, conductor
DECCA
Available on: iTunes | Amazon
“Francis and the London Symphony Orchestra provide consistently world-class, shapely orchestral frameworks and beautifully characterised first-desk solos throughout”
– Jed Distler, Gramophone (London), 1st June 2013
“★★★★★”
– Norman Lebrech, Album of the Week, Sinfini Music, 11th March 2013
Anne-Sophie Mutter, violin
New York Philharmonic
Michael Francis, conductor
Deutsche Grammophon
Available on: iTunes | Amazon
He phrases the music so intelligently, brings out many often buried but meaningful details, and gets a powerful and balanced sound from the orchestra. He consistently imparts a spirited sense to the music, and you get the feeling he fully understands each score in the set. He is obviously a talent to watch.
– Robert Cummings, ClassicalNet.com, 2013
Beethoven / Kuhlau Piano Concertos
Marianna Shirinyan, piano
Copenhagen Philharmonic
Michael Francis/Rolf Gupta, conductors
Orchid Classics
Available on: iTunes | Amazon
From the start of the Beethoven concerto, one is aware of the brilliant framework conductor Michael Francis provides the pianist. His accompaniment is crisp and passionate, with pungent contributions from the brass and timpani, and especially brilliant rhythmic articulation.
– Dave Saemann, Fanfare, 11 March 2013
Rachmaninov Shostakovich Piano Concertos No.5 & No.2
Julius-Jeongwon Kim, piano
London Symphony Orchestra
Michael Francis, conductor
Deutsche Grammaphon
Available on: Amazon
Piano Concerto in G, Stravinsky: Capriccio & Gershwin: Piano Concerto
Ian Parker, piano
London Symphony Orchestra
Michael Francis, conductor
ATMA Classics
Available on: iTunes | Amazon
Shades of Toscanini!…His sound and style put me immediately in mind of the late Rudolf Kempe, which is a compliment of he highest order. I will certainly seek his name out in future releases, regardless of repertoire…The unanimity of purpose between soloist and conductor is immediately apparent in the first movement of the Ravel, which grabs one’s attention and never lets it go. No detail is too small or insignificant for Parker and Francis to attend to, and the result was a performance of greater unity than I’ve ever heard before.
– Lynn René Bayley, Fanfare, 10th December 2010
National Youth Orchestra of Canada
Michael Francis, conductor
Available on: iTunes
[Holst’s The Planets and Rachmaninov’s Symphonic Dances] receive fully inspired and polished performances which bodes well for the health of orchestral institutions in Canada’s future.
– David Olds, The Whole Note, 25th November 2015