‘Susanne Heinrich proves herself a worthy heir to Abel's virtuosity and considerable gamba skill, and gives fluid accounts of this music’ (Audiophile Audition, USA)

‘What a cornucopia of expression and nuance she achieves! From the passionate Adagio (WKO209)—where she seems to inhabit Abel's sensibilities to perfection … through the tender rendering of the much loved arpeggiated prelude (WKO205), to the vivacious concluding jig, this is outstanding artistry. Could even Abel have played these works better?’ (Early Music)

«Le naturel et la plénitude du chant demandent une paradoxale précision. Susanne Heinrich y excelle dans ce disque envoûtant et apaisé» (Diapason, France)

‘Abel’s pieces are reminiscent of J S Bach’s solo cello suites, so if you like them then you’ll like these. They are far more than just dance suites though, both in terms of the frequently florid, technically demanding style (listen to the extraordinary multiple stops in the fugue), and in terms of their emotional range. Sensibility, or the practise of articulating direct and strong emotions, was all the rage in the arts world at the time, and Susanne Heinrich beautifully draws this out of Abel’s writing. Charles Burney wrote at the time that Abel’s viola da gamba seemed to breathe the notes, and I think he’d be similarly complementary of Heinrich’s playing, were he alive and critiquing today’ (bbc.co.uk)

‘This delightful release … Abel was one of the last masters of the viola da gamba, and in these unaccompanied pieces he reveals an intimate art … Heinrich brings to them exactly the right blend of emotional involvement and earnest good taste, and finds pleasing resonance and smoothness in her instrument, such that even nearly 80 minutes of solo gamba never tires the ear. An unexpected and atmospheric gem—I can almost hear the firewood crackling’ (Gramophone)

‘Until the release of this new recording the fascinating world of Abel's gamba music has been pretty much a closed book … Abel inclined towards simplicity and elegance, and Heinrich is always at pains to bring out the singing quality of the melodic lines … from the outset Heinrich confidently masters the multiple stopping and the wide range of the music … throughout, Heinrich succeeds triumphantly in crafting each piece individually—creating a special atmosphere for each work’ (International Record Review)

‘Shaham and Erez deliver outstandingly committed performances, revelling in the music's virtuosity, fantasy and heightened intensity of expression’ (BBC Music Magazine)

‘An extremely well-sung traditional carol collection. The concert makes a great appeal by the quality of the singing and the beautiful digital recording’ (The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs)

‘Celestial’ (San Francisco Examiner)

‘A model of its kind’ (The Times)

‘Marc-André Hamelin has a wonderful feel for this music. He has a rhythmic play and sense of chord-balancing that enriches the textures. His most beautiful and lyrical playing occurs in the languid, intimate passages, where one is carried away from the everyday’ (American Record Guide)

‘Marc-André Hamelin's [recordings] all attest to a virtuoso technique and an inquiring musical mind second to none on today's concert, recital, and recording platforms. He brings no less in artistic commitment to Albéniz and to this kaleidoscopically colourful music. Strongly recommended’ (Fanfare, USA)