‘The musicians are excellent, not merely in instrumental sections or as a balanced ensemble, but in their respective solo passages as well. They shine in providing intimate, strongly characterised work that brings the tenements of Les demoiselles de la nuit to life. Combine this with competent liner notes and spacious sound, and you have an album that should please older fans of Françaix, and make new ones out of a fresh generation of listeners’ (Fanfare, USA)

‘This is the third Françaix CD from Thierry Fischer and the Ulster Orchestra. I'll extend the praise they've already received from other reviewers by saying that these performances are polished and idiomatic. With their rhythmic point and colour, they invite the dance. The engineering is well balanced and not hyped’ (International Record Review)

‘It's the conductor Thierry Fischer's third Françaix disc with the Ulster Orchestra, and the players now have the composer's style off to a T’ (The Times)

‘The playing throughout is sensitive and fully attentive to the varied rhythms, while the sound is clear and bright, bringing out Françaix's imaginative writing for individual instruments, especially the woodwind. The CD will not change opinions of Françaix; but it will surely suit those who already appreciate his style’ (Gramophone)

‘Thierry Fischer seems totally attuned to Françaix's idiom, and the engineers have captured the excellent acoustics of Belfast's Ulster Hallto colourful effect. The Ulster Orchestra plays with wit, point and vitality: it can rarely if ever have sounded better on record’ (BBC Music Magazine)

‘Hough at his magical best’ (Classic FM Magazine)

‘Playing of exquisite poise, intrepid technical brilliance and extraordinary insight. A peach of an issue’ (Hi-Fi News)

‘Must take pride of place among recordings of this repertoire. A most distinguished record in every way’ (The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs)

‘A superb production!’ (Fanfare, USA)

‘It is hard to imagine better performances’ (BBC Music Magazine)

«Un des pianistes les plus virtuoses au monde à ce jour, non seulement dans la vitesse et le prestesse, mais surtout dans l'imagination et la qualité sonore. Avec une telle maîtrise du clavier et des timbres, une telle lisibilité polyphonique, une telle intelligence du texte, Hough va à mon sens plus loin que bien d'autres pianistes, même les plus valeureux dans la compréhension profonde de cette musique» (Répertoire, France)

‘Superb performances … style, elegance, and a power that is awe-inspiring when unleashed. César Franck has never been better served’ (Classic CD)