‘As heart-stoppingly electrifying as anything you've ever heard … ranks as one of the truly worthwhile recording events of 2006’ (Classics Today)

‘A highly significant composer with a very genuine gift for choral writing and one, moreover, with that priceless ability to communicate strongly and effectively with his audience’ (MusicWeb International)

«Il y a des disques dont on n'attend rien et qui nous donnent tous! Eric Whitacre se spécialise dans la composition chorale. Et il a trouvé le bon filon» (Classics Today France)

‘The combination of tonal opulence, expressive depth and verbal conviction creates a heart-melting mix in When David heard, by far the longest work on the disc and a masterpiece of unaccompanied choral writing. Unmissable’ (Classic FM Magazine)

‘If you have any interest in choral music, you absolutely must buy Cloudburst, a new CD of Whitacre’s choral music, sung with otherworldly purity of tone and security of pitch by the vocal group Polyphony, conduced by Stephen Layton … if someone sat you down, played Whitacre’s When David heard, and told you it was a new piece by Arvo Pärt, you’d just think it was another in a very long line of works of unalloyed genius from Pärt … When David heard is that good. Hair-raising. Electrifying. Whitacre has developed a remarkably distinct style … Whitacre is the genuine article’ (Stereophile)

‘Here's a CD to put the hype back into Hyperion … extraordinarily beautiful … the recording is blessed with top performers in the choir Polyphony under the conductor Stephen Layton, who carefully shapes the recitativo phrasing and demands crystal clarity in diction and ensemble. Hyperion has a winner’ (The Times)

‘Stylish and deeply moving’ (CDReview)

‘This is a real gem’ (International Record Review)

‘Quite simply, it's the most consistently beautiful sung version of the work I know, with exemplary instrumental contributions. If you don't have it already make sure you don't miss it this time round’ (Early Music Review)

‘Performances which are not only exemplary but compelling’ (Organists' Review)

«Ces lamentations … méritent assurément le meilleur traitement interprétatif, ce qui es le cas ici» (Telerama)

‘Unusual music … a rewarding release’ (Gramophone)