‘A highly enjoyable performance on period instruments with hand-stopped natural horn played by Ursula Paludan Monberg, with members of Arcangelo directed by Jonathan Cohen. If you haven’t heard Monberg’s name before you’ve almost certainly heard her playing as principal horn for various ensembles, from Concerto Copenhagen to the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and the English Concert. Her control of pitch and phrasing is wonderful throughout and the intimate recording makes sure we don’t miss a thing’ (BBC Record Review)

‘This latest release in Martyn Brabbins’ VW cycle is a strong addition to the series, containing as it does fine performances of the two symphonies. Simon Eadon’s recorded sound is excellent and the production is in the safe hands of Andrew Keener’ (MusicWeb International)» More

‘In the hands of a master like Howard Shelley, there is never going to be a chance of the music or performer running out of steam. Equally, the Sinfonieorchester St Gallen is on first-class form … of the two works on the CD, my vote would go to the Dupont, largely because it appears more finely-crafted in nearly every respect, and comes over as altogether more homogenous. But Benoit’s finale is great fun, too, and it’s also got that lovely melody in the slow movement to its credit. Hyperion’s recording and presentation are everything you’ve come to expect from a class operation, and both performances could hardly be bettered.’ (MusicWeb International)

‘The performances here are superior, and the disc is full to almost overflowing. The production values are first class, as usual for Hyperion … if you haven’t made the acquaintance of these sadly underappreciated works, this is your invitation to hear them in performances that surely won’t be bettered’ (MusicWeb International)» More

‘This is an exceptional album that demands the attention of Prokofiev fans and piano-lovers alike. (Audiophiles, too.) … Osborne’s War Sonatas are a spectacular achievement, and will surely pick up a fistful of awards; indeed, this could be my first Recording of the Year. White-hot performances, straight from the forge; superlative sound, even by Hyperion’s stellar standards.’ (MusicWeb International)» More

‘Isn't that a beautiful thing? [Wolf's Schlafendes Jesuskind] … touchingly achieved by soprano Mary Bevan and pianist Joseph Middleton, and a perfect conclusion to the trajectory of this recital based around song texts rooted in divinity and mythology’ (BBC Record Review)

‘Really attractive, well-made pieces, and the second of them has never been recorded before … these passionate performances of Litolff's two piano trios eloquently amplify the point made in the booklet that these pieces deserve to join the piano trio repertoire alongside Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Schumann and Tchaikovsky’ (BBC Record Review)

‘This recording, featuring these composers for the first time, is the pinnacle of refined singing and thoughtful scholarship and presentation that is always the case with this fine, clearly focused chamber choir … if this repertoire enthuses you and if this choir excites you then snap the disc up as you will probably never see its like again’ (MusicWeb International)» More

‘I haven’t made specific reference to the performance of every one of the twenty pieces in this collection but I can assure readers that every single one of these late works receives an excellent and insightful performance. These piano pieces are as fine as they are concise and I found Stephen Hough completely convincing throughout his traversal of them. He seems to me to have captured the essence of every piece and his playing evidences great musical integrity and thoughtfulness. The recordings were made in two separate locations but the same engineer, David Hinitt, was at the controls for all the sessions. He’s done a first-rate job; the sound of the Yamaha CFX piano comes over very well indeed. Misha Donat contributes a valuable set of notes. This is a top-class survey of Brahms’ last compositions for solo piano’ (MusicWeb International)» More

‘The Leonore Piano Trio haul these dazzling delights back into the daylight with suitably virtuosic verve. Prepare to have your pulse rate raised’ (The Guardian)

‘[Julius Drake] is equal to the demands of the piano writing, conjuring all the drama of the shipwreck in 'Loreley' as the siren tempts the sailors on to the rocks. It's a fine recording as well, the whole thing as good as anything in this series so far’ (BBC Record Review)

‘It’s a huge compliment given the recordings out there already that it sounds as though these pieces might have been written for Osborne, so well does he identify with their musical intent, and rise to their sometimes extreme challenges … Osborne captures the mixture of the militarily mechanistic, the terror, the lyrical beauty, sudden cinematic flights of fancy in all three of these sonatas … so does the recording, which effortlessly encompasses the huge explosions, percussive attack, dynamic range, sudden silences and lyrical moments as well. It’s a stunning album, all in all’ (BBC Record Review)