‘Strongly recommended’ (Hi-Fi News)

‘Stephan Genz has one of the most beautiful voices around today, used with such authority and imagination that I have found myself playing his Beethoven recital over and over again. I have never heard these songs sung more beautifully. An instant classic’ (Gramophone)

‘This disc, immaculately recorded, should win many new friends for Beethoven's songs’ (The Daily Telegraph)

‘As good as any anthology of Beethoven songs on CD’ (Classic CD)

‘Very fine … I enjoyed these performances because they deliver Beethoven as I want him, free of the biographical sensationalism. Highly recommended, not least for its super-budget price’ (CD News)

‘Fine performances, always intelligent, with many considerable insights … perfect intonation and excellent ensemble and tonal blend, with first-class Hyperion recording’ (The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs)

‘Throughout the Nash musicians are superb, and in particular the central viola parts come through well. The performers bring a commendable sense of purpose and togetherness that gives these works a youthful vigour, and in the case of Opus 29, shows how Beethoven was really starting to flex his compositional muscles. The recorded sound is excellent, too’ (Classical Source)

‘Two less-often-heard works by a great composer make a tuneful programme, well played by the Nash Ensemble’ (Daily Mail)

‘The rich-toned violas of Lawrence Power and Philip Dukes lend an almost orchestral sonority to the superb playing of The Nash Ensemble, beautifully caught by producer Andrew Keener’ (Classic FM Magazine)

‘A work of conspicuous originality [Op 29], power and wit, as The Nash Ensemble demonstrate in their eloquent, sprightly performance … The Nash also give a lively account of an even greater rarity, the early E flat Quintet … something genuinely worthwhile’ (The Sunday Times)

‘I can't envisage a more satisfying account of these works’ (BBC Music Magazine)

‘Flawless, superbly disciplined performances of Beethoven's two string quintets … this new disc from Hyperion has to be warmly welcomed for its first-rate sound and immaculate performances’ (Gramophone)