'The excitement builds steadily, with impressive horn-playing to herald the finale's 'big tune'. The Third Symphony's gentler climate suits Dohnanyi's approach, and is graced with Philharmonia playing of much grace and poise … the recorded competition is fearsome, particularly from greats like Karajan and Giulini … if you like your Brahms done in no-frills style, these performances will appeal strongly' (Classic FM Magazine)» More

'The Third demonstrates resilience and muscularity, and in the vaulting and all-important theme of the first movement an undeniable sweep, relaxing most invitingly into the mellifluous clarinet of the second subject' (Gramophone)

'Gergiev’s powerful performance of the Brahms 3rd Symphony is quite impressive with some notably fine wind and brass playing throughout from the LSO and his division of violins antiphonally helps to keep the textures of Brahms’s more densely scored passages clear' (Classical CD Review, USA)

‘Stellar artists, fine sound, splendid presentation. Superb!’ (Classical Source)

‘The pick of this crop has to be Brahms's Complete Chamber Music from Hyperion. Spanning more than two decades, this box contains the finest, mainly British, performances, some very recent … Brahms's two dozen chamber works are among his greatest achievements, and yield little or nothing in quality to the better known output of Mozart and Beethoven. This box contains much buried treasure’ (The Mail on Sunday)

‘This magnificent 12-CD collection … Marc-André Hamelin and the Leopold String Trio find the right gypsy touch in the First Piano Quartet … the Florestan Trio is movingly intense in the piano trios … Lawrence Power's playing of the viola alternative to the clarinet sonatas is magical. And there's much more! A superb bargain’ (Classic FM Magazine)

‘Immerse yourself in this set of 12 CDs of Brahms's chamber music … in the last 25 years, Hyperion has managed to persuade some of the finest of chamber musicians to reveal their affection for Brahms in recordings of remarkably consistent quality … altogether life affirming music in life enhancing performances: surely one of the best buys of the year?’ (BBC Music Magazine)

‘These are very desirable recordings … enriching performances that make one aware of Brahms's stature first and the superb musicianship of the executants second—which is exactly as it should be!’ (Gramophone)

‘A clear first recommendation for any of the five works. I find these fully the equal of any other versions of any of the trios in the catalogs, whether by present-day or 'golden age' performers. Wonderful music-making’ (Fanfare, USA)

‘Kirchslager is a perfect choice to begin the series, as Janet Baker had been for Schubert a decade ago. Angelika's mezzo voice is mellifluous and comforting to bring into your sitting room. Attentive to the meanings of every line, but not overly dramatic, she sustains attention through the whole recital easily. Again and again, guided by Johnson in words and at the keyboard, there are moments of heightened appreciation of Brahms, a consummate lieder composer’ (MusicalPointers.co.uk)

‘Angelika Kirchschlager and Graham Johnson's interpretations make these a thrilling experience’ (American Record Guide)

‘This selection keeps springing pleasant surprises. Kirchschlager's articulation can be veiled, but she always sings with feeling, and Graham Johnson expertly judges the quirky piano accompaniments. His notes, as usual, are awesomely detailed’ (The Times)