‘To whichever composer Marc-André Hamelin turns his (amazing) hand(s), he reinvents himself, chameleon-like, to convince you that he is the authoritative voice of that composer … hearing Hamelin play Fauré is like observing the workings of a luxury-brand wristwatch with its many interdependent and intricately connected parts working in perfect harmony to produce the movement you see on the clockface. I don’t mean by that analogy that Hamelin is all unruffled perfection and too cool by half … for there are many passages in which he displays deep and heartfelt passion (try Nocturne No 12 or Barcarolle No 5). And listen to his voicing of the stormy central (allegro) section of Nocturne No 5, where he somehow manages to make both hands equally significant while allowing the (leading) bass melody just that bit of extra significance. This is refined pianism of a high order … fresh, spontaneous and altogether superbe’ (Gramophone)

‘The two sets of Nocturnes and Barcarolles give us a resumé of Fauré’s compositional progress, from charming, tune-oriented pieces to the later ones driven, according to recent analysts, by ‘harmonic distortion’. Certainly, melody increasingly takes a back seat, in favour of what sometimes sound like abstruse mathematical games of Fauré’s own invention. But it is particularly in these that Hamelin’s superb technique and no doubt many hours of careful thought pay dividends, magisterially impressing on us the power and beauty of this music, which traces a path that no composer after Fauré chose, or perhaps dared, to tread’ (BBC Music Magazine)

‘With the centenary of Gabriel Fauré’s death approaching (in 2024), this quietly radical French genius is gaining some much-deserved attention beyond his few best-known works. Hamelin’s traversal of his nocturnes and barcarolles, 13 of each, delves deep into their extraordinary mix of sensual beauty and sophisticated reinvention of harmonic language’ (The Sunday Times)

‘Hamelin’s truly astonishing virtuosity here is transmuted into remarkable variations of colour throughout, with the Nocturnes providing him with plenty of opportunities to colour these works with both light and shade—the Nocturne No 2, for instance, flips between powerful, rushing, Chopin-esque passages full of dramatic harmonic shifts, and delicate flutters of dappled sunlight chords … superb … a terrific release, and one that’s well worth picking up’ (Limelight, Australia)» More

‘Hamelin’s interpretations of these enriching scores certainly set the bar high. His playing is both lucid and refined, with a real feel for the idiom. He also fully exploits the piano’s wide range of dynamics and tonal color. The traversals of these two cycles is indeed impressive and they stand shoulder to shoulder with some of the finest in the catalogue … the sound quality is second to none, aided by a magnificent Steinway. Booklet notes, in English, French and German are by Jessica Duchen, who offers a fine analysis of the works performed. For those unfamiliar with Fauré’s piano music, this release is certainly as good a starting point as any’ (MusicWeb International)» More

‘We can applaud Hamelin and Hyperion for bringing us such a fine collection … Hamelin brings a warmth of expression to his playing that plumbs the depths without seeming cloying … as we have come to expect from Hyperion, everything about this release is first class. The cover features some beautiful art by Monet, the booklet presents useful information about every individual track on the two CDs as well as some biographical information about the artists, and the engineering is excellent. For those who enjoy piano music, this new release is one that you really ought to hear, especially if you have not yet experienced the magical music of that underappreciated master, Gabriel Fauré’ (Classical Candor, USA)

‘Fauré’s 13 nocturnes and 13 barcarolles—two and a half hours in all—are not the kind of dizzyingly virtuosic works that are the fire-fingered Marc-André Hamelin’s stock in trade. But his clarity and sensitivity confirm that this is music of tender poignancy and subtle experimentation’ (The New York Times)

‘Fauré's piano music is full of intricate passage work and subtle modular harmonic shifts, more so within the Barcarolles, that require a perceptive musical mind like Hamelin's to uncover and convey … Hamelin finds the melodic core within all of its impressionistic abstraction and brings it to the surface with clear elucidation’ (Classical Music Sentinel)

‘Marc-André Hamelin has made a name for himself by playing extremely difficult music with ease and musicality. The latest in the Canadian-born pianist's excellent series of deeply probing recitals of unusual music, all on the Hyperion label, is devoted to Gabriel Fauré, specifically to all thirteen of the French composer's Nocturnes and all thirteen of his Barcarolles … solidifying the qualifications of this double-CD set as the best to own is the addition of a lovely rendition of Fauré's Dolly Suite, with Hamelin's wife, Cathy Fuller, on the primo part … a perceptive booklet essay by Jessica Duchen … rounds out this most alluring new release’ (IonArts.com)

‘Hamelin's refined taste and limitless technique serve the music well. Pure joy’ (The Absolute Sound, USA)

«Quelle splendeur que ce Nocturne no 1 (ca 1875) sous les doigts de Marc-André Hamelin ! Dès le commencement de ce voyage à travers les deux grands cycles pour piano de Fauré, dont la composition s’étale sur presque toute sa vie créatrice, le musicien canadien déploie un art immense. Et quand la passion affleure dans cette page encore empreinte d’un certain romantisme, il se fait le plus vibrant des conteurs … partout, le plus éclectique des grands pianistes de notre temps met la barre très haut : le miracle de cette interprétation majeure, magnifiée par une prise de son grisante, est bien de donner envie d’entendre encore et toujours ces bijoux de fraîcheur et de mystère, d’élégance extrême et de profondeur» (Diapason, France)