‘Peter Holman and his band reveal this music’s rich diversity in an intelligent and pleasing anthology. Taut rhythms and fine dynamic control throughout carry the listener along most persuasively … A collection of earthier English courantes and a group of festive ballets bring this highly entertaining programme to a brilliant conclusion’ (BBC Music Magazine)

‘A new look at a famous score, and for this reason as well as for the excellent performances, warmly welcomed’ (Gramophone)

‘These delightful performances will come as a refreshing change that blows away decades of excess. The slightly husky sound of The Parley's Renaissance violins suits this music to perfection, while the catchy rhythms of the dances are inflected with an irresistible verve, buoyancy and character … irresistible stuff’ (Goldberg)

‘Exemplary’ (Gramophone)

„The Prokofiev Concerto is full of creative energy and passionate intensity, but the Shostakovich is even more gripping with so much of an hypnotic obsession in the outer movements, while the Moderato sounds like a mystic journey driven by a mystic desire“ (Pizzicato, Luxembourg)

‘This is some of the most musically intelligent cello playing I've heard … if you've waited for a really good recording of the Prokofiev Cello Concerto, then here it is at last’ (Fanfare, USA)

‘This is a quite outstanding CD … [Opus 125] receives a fine performance indeed from this magnificent cellist, who is wonderfully partnered by orchestra and conductor, superbly recorded. They also make the earlier work seem a much better score than other recordings have done … with the completed concertos on this immensely valuable CD we realise that they count among Prokofiev's greatest concert works—so fully committed are these fine performances. David Nice's booklet notes are an additional bonus. A great recording—very strongly recommended’ (Musical Opinion)

‘Putting both versions side-by-side is novel and illuminating, especially as Gerhardt proves such a winning interpreter, revelling in Prokofiev's melancholy-tinged melodies and the dazzling high jinks of the phenomenally difficult bravura that he devised for Rostropovich. The wholehearted Litton and his Bergen band are no less virtuosic’ (The Sunday Times)

‘Florid and confident, with hotter drama and lyricism [Symphony-Concerto]. Gerhardt's singing passion finds a bigger outlet there, but he's good to hear in either work. So is the Bergen Philharmonic, sharply conducted by Andrew Litton’ (The Times)

‘Music that is especially compelling, both in terms of creativity and scoring … no praise is too high for Alban Gerhardt's musicianship, commitment and technique’ (International Record Review)

‘Throughout this beautifully engineered disc Gerhardt performs with consummate authority … bringing a much greater sense of cogency to … the Finale than the rival recording from Alexander Ivashkin on Chandos. Andrew Litton and the Bergen Philharmonic offer incisive support, highlighting Prokofiev's amazingly imaginative use of instrumental timbre’ (BBC Music Magazine)

‘If this fascinating coupling has ever been done before, I confess it has escaped me … experiencing both versions side by side is a revelation … Alban Gerhardt's playing, appropriately spotlit, is top-drawer stuff. This important, if troubling, disc is nothing if not a triumph for him’ (Gramophone)