Strauss depicts his wife, Pauline, in a quite extraordinary violin solo in ‘Des Helden Gefährtin’, and Roman Simovic’s was one of the most ravishing I have ever heard – and I have heard many, many performances of this work. What was remarkable about it was the complete distortion of time – Pappano lavished on Simovic all the space he wanted, all the love of a great operatic aria. Simovic would, in turn, spin lines that were tonally rich, uncharacteristically balletic for this work. It was flawless but entirely, endlessly creative. Simovic’s Pauline was invented to sing through this Heldenleben; she was here to quell, even to seduce, the ardent and heroic Strauss.

'Quite the most dazzlingly articulated long solo depicting Strauss’s wife Pauline in all her infinite variety I’ve ever heard from leader Roman Simovic. No wonder there was a big hug between him and Pappano at the end. Total victory, in short, critical carpings decisively routed'

‘This is what it sounds like when a player moves beyond the technical demands of a work and becomes a vehicle for the essence of the music.’

‘For a recording that is as musically involving as it is technically dazzling, he has few rivals’

‘[Simovic] shows the astonishing variety of these works… breathtakingly worthwhile.’

'The whole superb rendition can be listened to for pure pleasure.'

‘There are delights here: the teasing ‘Devil’s Laughter’ of the 13th caprice…where both Paganini and Simovic to up their game, in terms of imagination and variety.’

‘Simovic colours each [Caprice] with its own character and hue… jaw-dropping.’

‘Whether beautifully tuned chords and octaves, dramatic double and triple stopping, left hand pizzicato, gorgeously tactile vibrato at the close of phrases, Simovic delivers it all spectacularly.’

Simovic’s brilliant virtuosity and innate musicality allow him to take risks only few can hazard.’

This is a fine solo disc debut and one that offers a genuine and quality alternative to the existing pile.’