‘Hats off to Hyperion for having unearthed two such worthwhile obscurities from the rich musical pastures of English Victoriana … Philippe Graffin's tonal sweetness, beguiling expressive intensity and mellifluous technique combine to make each phrase ring out with the sunshine freshness of new discovery. His abilty to hone in on and exalt in the music's lyrical nexus points is remarkable, and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales under the expert and unfailingly sensitive guidance of David Lloyd-Jones provides expert backing’ (The Strad)

‘With repeated listening one discovers more and more in Cliffe's Violin Concerto—which is as encouraging as finding the d'Erlanger preserving its sparkle when revisiting it. Graffin plays superbly, with all the fire and tenderness required, and with glorious tone. The BBC National Orchestra of Wales is as attentive and sympathetic as one would expect with David Lloyd-Jones conducting, and the recording is well judged in terms of balance and perspective’ (International Record Review)

‘For those who might prefer to hear reflections on the violin by a less frequently heard composer to discovering yet another violinist's attempt to comb out detail to personalize a war-horse recorded a hundred times over, Hyperion's series, and this installment in particular, should be especially welcome; for others, it could serve as evidence of highly intelligent life beyond the standard repertoire. Warmly recommended to listeners of all types’ (Fanfare, USA)

‘Anthony Marwood is absolutely reliable in rhythm as well as pitching, though he still loosens up at appropriate moments; and Marwood's faster tempo for the slow movement, and more relaxed speeds for the finale, bring out more of their charm … Marwood is again the complete virtuoso in another assured and enjoyable performance’ (BBC Music Magazine)

‘If Anthony Marwood, Martyn Brabbins and the Scottish players learnt the works especially for this recording, then they've utterly fooled me. Totally at one with the idiom, Marwood's unflashy, sweet-toned playing lends just the right note of enchantment and authenticity to these forgotten scores. In short, this is Hyperion at its best’ (Gramophone)

«Le Nash Ensemble met beaucoup d’ardeur à défendre cette très belle musique, qui n’avait pour l’instant jamais fait l’objet d’enregistrements connus. La sonorité est ronde et pleine, le travail effectué sur la partition intelligent. Ce disque ne dépareillera aucune collection et peut même constituer la première pièce de la discographie d’un amateur de musique de chambre en herbe. Autrement dit, il ne s’agit pas de bouder son plaisir» (Classiqueinfo-disque.com)

‘The composer's lyrical gift, rhythmic energy, and skilful use of colour and harmony are the work of a master … the Nash Ensemble does great justice to this music, with polished yet vigorous playing and superb musicianship’ (American Record Guide)

‘Suave musicianship and sonic warmth … the Nash Ensemble offers a vital and intellectually stimulating accounts of these rarities and their devotion repays the listener’s curiosity many times over. The playing is fresh and vibrant, not to mention poised and erudite … not as much as a single note will disappoint’ (Fanfare, USA)

‘There is enough mastery here and in the later Ballade for violin and piano to make highly rewarding listening. The Nash Ensemble's performances, as one would expect, are devoted and full of insight’ (The Daily Telegraph)

‘[Piano Quintet in G minor] is well-crafted, with piquant harmonies (the pianist, not incidentally, is the outstanding Ian Brown who brings added class to everything he touches) … the Clarinet Quintet in F sharp minor commands the listener's full attention. Richard Holsford, the eloquent soloist, is heard at his best in the beautiful second-movement Larghetto’ (Classic FM Magazine)

‘This splendid disc of early chamber music goes a long way to explain [Coleridge-Taylor's] charisma. The Piano Quintet … is a superbly characterful work with an especially original finale. And the Clarinet Quintet … is so assured, so obviously independent of the obvious contemporary model (the Brahms), that the much-overused term 'masterpiece' may not, in this instance, overstate the case … the Nash Ensemble do these deeply attractive and enjoyable works proud (the two Quintets languished unplayed for the best part of a century, and this may be the premiere recording of Op 1) in affectionate performances that revel in Coleridge-Taylor's idiomatic and challenging writing. The recording is warm but texturally crystal-clear. Highly recommended’ (BBC Music Magazine)

‘Coleridge-Taylor's creative light would seem to be firmly in the ascendant … the Nash Ensemble has maintained such an astonishingly high level of interpretative and technical expertise down the years that it is easy to become complacent. Yet even by its standards this is an exceptional recording, with Ian Brown excelling himself with playing of the utmost sensitivity and imagination. High honours also go to violinist Marianne Thorsen who plays the 13-minute Ballade with a radiant glow and passion which have one hanging onto her every note … enhanced by one of the most natural-sounding recordings that even Andrew Keener and Simon Eadon have ever produced, this is a must for all lovers of late-Romantic chamber music’ (International Record Review)