17 November 2024
Radio Bremen, Germany, Wilfried Schäper
Beethoven: Hammerklavier„Es dürfte wohl kaum einen anderen Pianisten geben, der diese furchterregend schwierige Sonate so überlegen, hochmusikalisch und überzeugend spielt wie der jetzt 63-jährige Kanadier Hamelin. Seine neue Beethoven-Platte ist ein weiterer Meilenstein in seiner schon jetzt riesigen Discografie—eine CD zum Staunen“ (Radio Bremen, Germany)
11 November 2024
SWR Kultur, Germany, Eleonore Büning
Unplayed Stories … in 40 Fingers„Das Kollektivstück vom Duo Mendelssohn/Moscheles ist nur eine der Geschichten, die hier von MultiPiano ausgegraben wurden. Beinahe ebenso verrückt ist die vom Grand Duo „Les Contrastes“ op.115. Komponiert von Moscheles für vier Pianisten an zwei Klavieren. Auf dem Album in einer neuen Version mit Orchester. Das ist vielleicht ein Getümmel! Ignaz Moscheles hat hier eine der ersten „neobarocken“ Suiten überhaupt komponiert, mit Choralvariation, Kontrapunkt und Fuge. Total „up to date“ im Zeitalter des Historismus. Raffiniert, witzig, originell und ein großer Spaß … ein Album, das die Autorin dringend ans Herz legt!“ (SWR Kultur, Germany)

9 November 2024
TheArtsDesk.com, Bernard Hughes
Unplayed Stories … in 40 Fingers‘There is something thrilling about the textures that emerge, and the challenges of co-ordination that are thrown up, on this thoroughly enjoyable compendium of first recordings … Liszt’s expansion of Schubert’s 'Wanderer' Fantasy … is the biggest piece on the disc, not just in duration but scope. It’s a big beast, played with authority and adventure by Tomer Lev and Berenika Glixman. They capture the melodic eloquence of Schubert and the 'look-at-me' show-offiness of Liszt, with Ivor Bolton and the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin negotiating the intricate orchestral part with little fuss … [this album] has led me to discover their earlier album of Mozart’s multi-player concertos [on Hyperion CDA68367], which is also recommended’ (TheArtsDesk.com)
7 November 2024
The Guardian, Andrew Clements
The Frans Brüggen Project‘Ten years after Brüggen’s death, it’s [his] achievement as an instrumentalist that is celebrated on Lucie Horsch’s disc … for once it’s the instruments that matter more than the music; anyone remotely interested in recorder playing will find it fascinating, and get a reminder of just what an extraordinary musician Brüggen was’ (The Guardian)

4 November 2024
CD Hotlist, USA, Rick Anderson
A monk's life‘As always, the singing of the Brabants is simply beyond reproach: their creamy ensemble tone, their intonation, and their perfectly balanced expressiveness are a pure joy to hear’ (CD Hotlist, USA)
4 November 2024
Classical Music Daily, Gerald Fenech
Beethoven: Hammerklavier‘There are a myriad recordings dedicated to Ludwig van Beethoven's piano sonatas, whether as couplings or in complete cycles. Many are very memorable regarding performance and presentation, but every now and then there comes along an issue that rouses a certain amount of interest for some reason or other. This disc is such a case … Marc-André Hamelin is one of the finest pianists around. Renowned for his musical insight and technical wizardry, Hamelin never resorts to unnecessary showmanship or emotional ambiguity; indeed, he possesses a deep sense of obedience to the composer's score, playing every note with unmitigated precision and fastidious attention to tempo markings. Fascinating and powerful Beethoven in inspirational performances overflowing with arresting pianism. Highly recommended’ (Classical Music Daily)
4 November 2024
CD Hotlist, USA, Rick Anderson
Boccherini: Cello Concertos, Sonatas & Quintets - Music of the Angels‘With this exceptionally lovely collection of concertos and chamber music, cellist Steven Isserlis seeks to support his argument that composer Luigi Boccherini always sought 'to create for his players and listeners a sphere of ideal beauty, of sophisticated sentiments—and in that he succeeded like no other' … a powerful argument for Boccherini’s importance. Highly recommended’ (CD Hotlist, USA)
2 November 2024
BBC Record Review, Andrew McGregor
Boccherini: Cello Concertos, Sonatas & Quintets - Music of the Angels‘Why is the album called ‘Music of the Angels’? The sheer beauty and virtuosity of the music and the way, as Isserlis puts it, Boccherini’s 'ultra-light scoring'—sometimes with just cello and violins—leaves the cellist sharing the same stratosphere as they do. As he puts it, a 'remarkably translucent and ethereal’ effect; truly, music of the angels. It’s a lovely album’ (BBC Record Review)
1 November 2024
AllMusic, USA, James Manheim
A monk's life‘The Brabant Ensemble is perhaps the premier group on the Renaissance scene presenting in-depth research in a way that is accessible to general audiences, and the group has done it again with the 2024 release A monk's life … the ensemble of nine or ten singers is of an ideal size, and Hyperion's sound from a chapel at Oxford is perfectly idiomatic. A must-have for lovers of Renaissance choral music’ (AllMusic, USA)

1 November 2024
American Record Guide, Rob Haskins
Bach: Preludes, Inventions & Sinfonias‘Mr Esfahani here presents expressive and imaginative readings of the so-called 'Little' Preludes, the Inventions, and the Sinfonias. Long-time readers know that I always complain when these works are played as if by a child; fortunately (and predictably), Esfahani gives them the same artistry and technical panache that has informed all his other recordings … this release will undoubtedly appear in my best-of list for 2024’ (American Record Guide)