‘Hamelin marshals his considerable skills for a reading of the Hammerklavier that clarifies and illuminates rather than simply overpowers. Key to this achievement are a lighter touch and precise articulation that put some spring into Beethoven’s dense chords in the opening movement … his way with the great Adagio seems near-perfect, mesmerizing but always with a quiet sense of forward motion. As for the legendarily taxing fugue in the finale, once thought to be unplayable, he makes it sound improbably pianistic’ (The New York Times)

‘British cellist Steven Isserlis lovingly addresses the diversely elegant art of Luigi Boccherini (1743-1805) whose chamber music and cello concertos reflect his long tenure in Spain … exquisitely delicate and charming, this music dances on the strings of both the heart and the imagination’ (Audiophile Audition, USA)» More

‘This immensely enjoyable album masterminded by the Israeli pianist Tomer Lev features his dazzling Multipiano Ensemble in pieces for four and eight hands, with and without orchestra … the version [of the 'Wanderer' Fantasy] with two pianos recorded here was made by Alexander Tamir for his well-known Eden & Tamir duo. It keeps Liszt’s orchestral score intact, but redistributes the piano part to make it less Lisztian, and more Schubertian. Ivor Bolton and the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra offer skilful support … finally, the 19th-century pianist Ernst Pauer’s arrangements of two of Schubert’s duet marches add octaves all over the place without actually enhancing the originals in any way, but the music itself, and especially the Viennese lilt of its trio sections, remains irresistible’ (BBC Music Magazine)

‘There is much to enjoy in this new Isserlis release devoted entirely to Boccherini … the quintet tracks are personal preferences’ (The Rehearsal Studio, USA)

„Durchweg brillant  … äußerst engagiert … hier und da erstaunlich neobarock … unterhaltsam … durchaus frech à la Erik Satie“ (Rondo, Germany)» More

‘This gigantic and powerful work … might have been custom-built for Marc-André Hamelin, the Canadian pianist with a particular flair for the grandiose, eccentric, or otherwise out of the ordinary … there is nothing in Hamelin’s latest Hyperion album (there are 89 others) to break the rule of thumb where this splendid artist is concerned: when Hamelin plays, you stop and listen’ (The Times)

‘Hamelin a mix of flamboyance and poise, keyboard scorched, music lucid … all very fine’ (colinscolumn.com)» More

‘It’s no surprise that excerpts from Carmen kick things off, and one understands quickly just why she's so in demand as Bizet’s fierce heroine. The full, wine-dark quality of her instrument is immediately appealing; there’s an evenness and comfort across the voice’s entire range; and a self-assurance and poise that underpins every phrase. Akhmetshina is a calculating, restrained Carmen, appealing with undercurrents of danger … her ability to seamlessly traverse the very different roles on this recording puts you in mind of early Shirley Verrett or Agnes Baltsa, but that sumptuousness of tone is all her own. A Bashkir folk song is a lovely, moving conclusion to this most successful debut recording, which heralds a generational talent’ (Limelight, Australia)

„Hamelin wählt klassisch ausgewogene Tempi für alle Sätze, etwas schneller als Brendel oder Gilels, aber keineswegs halsbrecherisch. Alles klingt präzise, rhythmisch ausgewogen und transparent, ohne exzessive Agogik“ (Rondo, Germany)

‘This is an absorbing release, and not only one for Renaissance choral buffs; it plunges the listener into the creativity of the era’ (AllMusic, USA)

‘Observing Beethoven’s fast metronome marking in spirit if not in fact, Hamelin chooses a suitably propulsive pace for the first movement [of Op 106] that permits nuances of color and line to register meaningfully without compromising forward momentum … lucid booklet notes by the veteran Beethoven authority Barry Cooper add to the appeal of this well-recorded release. If you want only one Hammerklavier, this will do nicely’ (Classical Voice North America)

‘Unlike most chanson collections, this one is characterized throughout by a hushed and reverential tone as well as by The Gesualdo Six’s standard-setting blend and intonation. Another winner from this amazing ensemble’ (CD Hotlist, USA)