‘Brilliant performances’ (The New Yorker, USA)

‘[Hough] applies his formidable technique and fine interpretive sense to nearly overpowering effect … [Hough] renders these movements sonic collages, contrasting bold colors with subtle hues worthy of the French Impressionists’ (The New York Times)

‘Impressive virtuosity, as musically purposeful as it’s exciting … Hough’s brilliantly exact judgement of sonority in Copland’s Piano Variations – chiselled, rather than flinty  … makes this the best performance I’ve heard’ (Classic FM Magazine)

‘Hough is supremely and charismatically on top of it all … an iron fist in a glove of softest velvet … he possesses a mesmerising range of colours, knows how to be intellectual without being cerebral, and has the knack of making everything sound spontaneous … Hough has notched up some fine things hitherto. This is probably one of the finest’ (Classic CD)

‘Startling virtuosity and probing musicality. I have never heard Copland's Variations played with such variety of tone and pinpoint articulation, nor the Corigliano rendered with such plasticity of tempo and mood’ (Piano & Keyboard)

‘This disc is a remarkable combination of artistic vision, stunning performance technique, and curatorial intelligence. Stephen Hough seems to have it all—blazing technique, real artistic vision, an adventurous curiosity, and a deft style as an annotator. A great piano album and a loving testament to the strength of a strain of American music that is expressive and humanistic while remaining open to the challenges of its time’ (Fanfare, USA)

‘Scintillating performances and vivid sonics from Hyperion. Even the notes, by Hough himself, are superlative’ (American Record Guide)

‘His playing is unerringly musical in its intentions … this is a disc of the highest musical and interpretative quality whose appeal lies as much in the quality of the pianism as in the fascinating repertoire’ (Hi-Fi News)

‘Hough's playing is glorious’ (BBC Music Magazine)

‘Everything about this production (including recorded sound of almost palpable realism) deserves the highest praise’ (International Piano)

‘Astonishingly (especially considering the enquiry of so many German specialist and boutique labels), Simon Callaghan's debut solo disc for Hyperion, is a Nicodé first. And most welcome and generous it is … befitting his passion for discovery, Simon Callaghan acquits himself superbly. This is a classy album of deep musicality and sensitivity, pianistically compelling’ (Classical Source)» More

'A youthful addition to the many excellent versions of the Mozart already available, and a fine introduction to the Nielsen for those who are not familiar with it' (Classic FM)» More