‘The Alkan emerges as a surprisingly strong work, made more so by the sterling advocacy of these fine players. Its four movements betray its composer's love of harmonic quirks and unexpected changes of direction alongside a freely lyrical spirit. Gerhardt draws a suitably Romantic sound from his rich-toned Matteus Gofriller cello, and he conveys a lithe ease of articulation and rhythm in the jaunty saltarella that concludes the work. In the more familiar Chopin, there is a palpable sense of a single, combined mind at work. Osborne's Chopin playing proves to be every bit as focused as his Messiaen or Tippett, and he and Gerhardt respond superlatively to the music's sensitivity and power’ (The Daily Telegraph)

‘This new version [of the Alkan] must surely drag it centre-stage. It is a masterpiece: meaty, melodic, and, as with most of Alkan's music, extremely demanding to play … both performances from this outstanding partnership are out of the top drawer, fresh, spontaneous and beautifully recorded’ (Gramophone)

‘One of the most gifted cellists on the international scene … Gerhardt is superb here, and he is fortunate to have Steven Osborne as his accompanist … a pianist of the first rank’ (International Record Review)

„Hamelin's performance can only be described as sensational“ (Piano, Germany)

‘You could hardly ask for a more brilliant display of fireworks’ (Classic CD)

‘Recommended without reservation’ (American Record Guide)

‘An admirable disc for all lovers of bravura virtuoso piano writing’ (CDReview)

‘The phenomenal playing and superb musicianship of Marc-André Hamelin whose account of the staggeringly difficult Henselt Concerto is quite breathtaking. A thoroughly enjoyable disc well worth exploring’ (Gramophone)

‘It's great stuff and it's almost impossible to play. Of course, to Marc-André Hamelin everything is possible; he sails through the fiendish passages with incredible ease and panache. The man is not only a world-class artist but possibly the greatest-ever acrobat of the keyboard. The speed, articulation, and clarity of his finger work are simply beyond belief, and at the same time the music keeps singing regardless of the complications’ (The Audio Critic, USA)

‘Incredibly, Hamelin not only holds this massive work together but also makes it a satisfying musical experience … Hamelin scores with immaculate pianism and, in the lyric pieces, a deceptive simplicity’ (The Absolute Sound, USA)

‘It is an axiom of classical recording that there is no such thing as a Hamelin disc that is anything less than compelling and fascinating. He is the most impressive combination of technique, intellect and fearlessness … the music here is wild, untrammelled and gorgeous and always so dauntingly played that, at times, it defies belief’ (The Buffalo News, USA)

‘The Alkan concerto is played to stunning perfection. When you listen to Hamelin play the most horrendously tricky keyboard acrobatics, it's as natural as being in a Ferrari with Michael Schumacher as your driver—exciting, but you know you're in good hands. We know Hamelin can not go wrong’ (Pianist)