‘Strongly tonal and lyrical, Jongen's chief influences seem to be Richard Strauss and César Franck … the Fantasia in E major has a gorgeous honeyed melody as its main subject. A better title might have given it wider currency. The more amorphous Adagio symphonique from three years later comes from the same stable, with the soloist flying high over a rich orchestral texture. It is this characteristic that is most evident in the three movements of the Violin Concerto’ (Gramophone)

‘Volume 18 of Hyperion's series of little-known violin concertos of the Romantic era. This one showcases the music of Joseph Jongen, a Belgian composer much admired in his day for his orchestral and chamber works. On this new album violin virtuoso Philippe Graffin collaborates with the Royal Flemish Philharmonic and conductor Martyn Brabbins in Jongen’s Violin Concerto, one of the composer’s first substantial works. David [Mellor] describes it as "a lovely violin concerto which ought to be rather better known than it is’ (Classic FM)

‘Philippe Graffin is a very stylish violinist who does full justice to these scores. The same can be said for the orchestra and Martyn Brabbins’ (American Record Guide)

‘Graffin’s tonal transparency, ear-ringing intonation and phrasal intuitiveness … are a constant source of pleasure, captured in alluringly tangible sound’ (The Strad)» More

‘The Fantasie in E Major (1898) by Jongen finds an admirable lyricism in this performance by Philippe Graffin, whose 1730 Busano instrument lights up its delicate, relatively uncomplicated colors’ (Audiophile Audition, USA)» More

‘Technically and artistically Philippe Graffin once again proves first-class, his slender yet eloquent tone being altogether appropriate. Recorded sound is admirable, though a little drier than the label's very finest’ (Limelight, Australia)» More

‘All in all, then, this is an attractive disc which will certainly not disappoint’ (MusicWeb International)» More

‘Graffin is, as usual, superb in every respect … with a luscious tone, expansive and nuanced phrasing, and sensitivity and passion to burn. He is given terrific support by Brabbins and the orchestra’ (The Whole Note, Canada)» More

«Philippe Graffin et Martyn Brabbins y mettent partout beaucoup de cœur et de couleurs» (Diapason, France)» More

«Philippe Graffin est l'indispensable interprète des raretés … bien que les musiques qu'il joue soient extrêmement expressives, il les aborde sans appuyer le son, toujours élégant, toujours délié» (Classica, France)» More