‘Absolutely stunning … what a way to be introduced to the music of York Bowen!’ (American Record Guide)

‘This disc is the latest and arguably the most impressive so far in the continuing resuscitation of the music of London-born composer-pianist York Bowen (1884–1961). These two concertos sound more Continental than English, with the single-movement Third (1908) betraying the influence of Saint-Saëns and the more substantial Fourth (1937) having a Debussy-meets-Strauss late-Romantic palette. Both, though, have enough scintillating character of their own to reward repeated listening, while Danny Driver's performances are masterly, stylish and full of dazzling pianism’ (The Daily Telegraph)

‘Danny Driver's pianism is fully and eagerly up to Bowen's considerable demands’ (BBC Music Magazine)

‘The Third Concerto, with its surging climaxes and soaring themes, offers 17 minutes of instant gratification … the writing [Fourth Concerto] veers between magical impressionism and passionate bravura outbursts couched in Straussian orchestral textures. Thrilling stuff. Driver, again, is firmly in the spotlight. This is his first recording for Hyperion. I look forward to many more’ (Gramophone)

‘Soloist Danny Driver emerges as the virtuoso hero of the hour’ (Classic FM Magazine)

‘Without doubt one of the most interesting and valuable piano releases of 1996 … ideal vehicles for the superlative pianism of Mr Hough … the smaller preludes disclose the widest possible gamut of moods and colors and are couched in pianistic trappings of the first order … Hough’s performances leave absolutely nothing to be desired’ (American Record Guide)

‘Few new discs of piano music match this for sheer magic: magnetic performances that come as a revelation. Vivid piano sound’ (The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs)

‘On the basis of this spectacular release, it is easy to imagine a Bowen revival, for this is deeply satisfying, richly melodic music to warm the heart of any romantic … the superb young British pianist Stephen Hough plays with bracing virtuosity and golden tone. I'm sure Hough could play scales and put together an interesting recital. In this case he applies his artistry to music of great integrity, and the result is a recorded recital of special distinction’ (Fanfare, USA)

'Hough evidencia unos medios técnicos espectaculares y una agilidad mecánica que la permite une extraordinaria nitidez' (Scherzo, Spain)

«Ici une pyrotechnie évoquant le grand piano russe se met au service d'une harmonie subtile, richement chromatique» (Diapason, France)

‘No other living pianist could hope to play such music with comparable richness, sensuous magic and depth of feeling. Time and again he sets the mind and senses reeling … in the final pages of the Fifth Sonata … you will, awed and bemused, admit you are in the presence of pianistic genius … even more remarkable than such feats of strength and brilliantly controlled fury is Stephen Hough’s poetic fervour in those many pages that glance longingly over the shoulder at a bygone age … not only a musical Elysium but one of the most remarkable of all modern piano records’ (Hi-Fi News)

‘Hough plays [Fifth Piano Sonata] with barely checked emotion, leaving nothing in reserve … Bowen’s music requires a serene, lilting-like approach from the pianist to realise the subtle beauty of the piece, and Stephen Hough provides this with consummate ease … Bowen would indeed have been a remarkable pianist if he could play his works as well as Stephen Hough’ (Soundscapes, Australia)