31 August 2024
BBC Record Review, Andrew McGregor
Bach: Preludes, Inventions & Sinfonias‘These are such lovely little pieces—fifty-five of them—and Mahan’s skill, musicality, delightful ornamentation and emotional sensitivity mean you don’t get tired of them at all. Such a good recording: you could almost reach out and play one of the parts yourself, and if you’re a keyboard player you’ll want to—your fingers will be twitching. It’s a good series, this’ (BBC Record Review)
30 August 2024
The Art of Pianists, Bryce Morrison
Beethoven: Hammerklavier‘Hamelin is masterful … Hyperion's sound and presentation are admirable as always’ (The Art of Pianists)
29 August 2024
WPR, USA, Stephanie Elkins
Reformation‘Rushdie Momen not only performs these pieces exquisitely, but also writes about them in an evocative way, referring to her role being 'to animate and recreate this music, not merely to describe or reproduce the text' … [noting] that much is known about the Elizabethans but 'often what is missing is people’s true, private feelings and inner worlds.' She has tapped into those feelings and worlds, sharing them in a deeply sensitive and open way through this music’ (WPR, USA)
25 August 2024
SWR Kultur, Germany, Doris Blaich
Queen of Hearts„Einfach überwältigend gut—die Stimmen mischen sich perfekt, weiche Höhe, markante Tiefe, blitzesaubere Intonation und Vokalfärbung; dieses Ensemble singt mit einem wunderbaren Fluss und schafft grade die richtige Balance zwischen Spannung und Ruhe, die für die Musik der Renaissance so wichtig ist“ (SWR Kultur, Germany)
» More21 August 2024
Klassisk, Denmark, Mikael Garnæs
Schubert: String Quartets D112 & 887'Musikerne holder fint sammen på det stort anlagte værk, hvor alene førstesatsen varer over tyve minutter. Der er en spændende, tilbageholdt kraft i førstesatsen, hvor de kommer ned i det mest tyste piano uden at tabe intensitet eller velklang … Den italiensk-inspirerede finale er nok kvartettens umiddelbart mest tilgængelige sats, og den bliver virtuost spillet, let og dansende og med en gennemført skøn klang' (Klassisk, Denmark)

16 August 2024
Presto Classical, Matthew Ash
Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos 4, 5 & 6‘Mäkelä has achieved something very special here, bringing freshness to music that has been recorded many times and by many of the conducting greats. He is a conductor who builds a strong relationship with works through performance before recording them, and the benefits of this approach are strongly in evidence. The players of the Oslo Philharmonic respond with faultless technical and musical skill, and the Decca engineers have lived up to their reputation for achieving outstanding sound quality, with a dynamic range and soundstage that are essential to this music. I hope that Mäkelä goes on to complete a full Shostakovich cycle, given that he clearly has something to say in this music. On this evidence, it would become a cornerstone of the catalogue’ (Presto Classical)
10 August 2024
Rondo, Germany, Guido Fischer
Queen of Hearts„Ausgewählt hat man geistliche und weltliche Meisterwerke nicht nur aus der Feder franko-flämischer Größen wie Antoine Brumel, Nicolas Gombert und Jean Mouton. Darunter finden sich gleichermaßen berühmte Abschieds- und Trauergesänge wie Josquin des Prez’ „Mille regretz“ sowie Trouvaillen wie Antoine Févins „Fors seulement“. Und den Bogen ins Hier und Jetzt schlägt man u.a. mit sechsstimmigen Gebeten von Owain Park sowie Ninfea Cruttwell-Reade, die sich mit ihrem magischen Pathos nahtlos in dieses Programm einfügen“ (Rondo, Germany)
» More
8 August 2024
The Guardian, Andrew Clements
Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos 4, 5 & 6‘The account of the Sixth Symphony is beautifully controlled and paced, the Oslo strings radiant as the first movement steadily intensifies, the woodwind fabulously agile in the scherzo second, and the finale a joyous, witty romp’ (The Guardian)
