‘Hough shares with Rachmaninov a precision, a rhythmic energy, a quite beautiful singing tone and—perhaps most important in these dense textures—an unerring clarity … a superb achievement, and that's all that needs to be said’ (International Record Review)

‘Hough's melodic subtlety is well matched by conductor Andrew Litton, and even Rachmaninophobes will be won over by their Paganini Rhapsody’ (The Independent on Sunday)

‘Stephen Hough and Andrew Litton cut a swathe through the decades-long undergrowth of bad tradition, revealing leaner, more potent works in the process … a terrific achievement’ (The Evening Standard)

‘This is fin-de-siècle musical romance moulded with perception, and Hough himself is on magnificent form … Hough's set takes the palm as the pre-eminent digital edition of the Rachmaninov piano concertos’ (The Independent)

‘These rank among the most illuminating—and most compelling—performances in the catalog. Whether you're a Rachmaninov addict looking for fresh perspectives on the music or a neophyte looking for the cycle in up-to-date sound, Hough and Litton can be recommended without hesitation’ (Fanfare, USA)

‘Overall, these live concert recordings stand out in a field jam-packed with first-rate Rachmaninov concerto cycles’ (BBC Music Magazine)

‘An exciting new Rachmaninov set that's definitely not to be missed’ (HMV Choice)

‘What Hough has come up with is much fleeter and leaner than the overripe romantic effects usually lavished on these concertos … he keeps the music on the move, carefully regulating its ebb and flow, so that Rachmaninov’s melodies float above the harmonic feints and sidesteps … as fine as anything Hough has done on disc to date’ (The Guardian)

‘Carefully considered interpretations despatched with consummate musicianship and virtuosity, and using as their inspiration Rachmaninov's own recordings’ (The Mail on Sunday)

‘The spark of these live performances has survived inevitable patching sessions to place Stephen Hough's complete account of Rachmaninov's works for piano and orchestra into the top flight’ (Music Week)

‘An electrifying double-disc set’ (The Scotsman)

‘An outstanding disc’ (The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs)