‘Sumptuously recorded and delivered with obvious affection for the music, this is my personal record of the year … Westminster Cathedral Choir's discography is distinguished by immaculate preparation, inspired direction, outstanding choral singing and superlative recorded sound. A simply glorious performance and, as with the Martin and Pizzetti recording, this entire release should inspire even those for whom sacred music is usually a closed book. In short, this is a disc not to be missed’ (Gramophone)

‘These pieces have an affecting quality, and they are most beautifully sung and lucidly recorded’ (International Record Review)

‘The intensity and focus of the treble voices, for which this choir is famed, brings a luminosity to Janacek's angular lines that compels attention … radiant performances’ (BBC Music Magazine)

‘Clein proves a more than worthy champion … she rises above the fearsome technical challenges, capturing the bravura nature of the piece in a way that makes it 'speak' like pure music’ (Financial Times)

‘Her greatest achievement is the 1915 Sonata: a fusion of Baroque rigour, Romantic breadth and ancient folk melodies, with tangy scordatura, ululating trills and bitter pizzicato … pianist Julius Drake shades the introduction to the 1922 Sonatina exquisitely. A bold recital in which Clein embraces a darker, wilder sound’ (The Independent on Sunday)

‘[9 Epigrams] These short, folk-inspired works, originally composed as vocal exercises, are jewel-like. Clein and her pianist Julius Drake play them simply, with deep affection and not a hint of condescension. Thrilling, moving, and beautifully recorded’ (TheArtsDesk.com)

‘Extremely impressive, both in the impassioned rhapsodies of the first two movements [of the Sonata for solo cello], and in the array of folk tunes that are paraded in the ferociously challenging finale’ (The Guardian)

‘An imaginative and very persuasive performance of the magnificent Sonata for solo cello … Clein characterises this music extremely well—the sense of a developing musical argument is particularly well brought out in her account, which lacks nothing in virtuosity either’ (International Record Review)

‘Kodály's Sonata for solo cello represents one of those daunting summits that cellists feel ineluctably drawn to conquer, and Natalie Clein does so with terrific passion, piquancy and technical accomplishment’ (The Daily Telegraph)

‘Magically deft, soaringly passionate, without any trace of self-indulgence, Clein conjures a full orchestra of colours from her precious Guadagnini cello … Julius Drake's piano accompaniments are expectedly delicate and caring. Hyperion's warm recording is another joy’ (The Times)

‘I can remember first hearing the Kodály Solo Sonata, nearly 50 years ago, and being amazed at its scope and at the composer’s extraordinary resourcefulness. Something of this sense of wonderment returned on listening to Natalie Clein’s account; she produces an astonishing range of colours and evokes the widest variety of expressive styles. I find it admirable, too, how she’s able, in the recording studio, to maintain so much of the excitement and directness of live performance’ (Gramophone)

‘The compelling reason for acquiring this disc … is Clein's magnificent account of the Solo Sonata, Op 8. One of the masterpieces of the cello repertory, it opens with massive, declamatory chords, and Clein's depth of tone makes an immediate impact on this well-engineered recording … a must-have disc’ (BBC Music Magazine)