‘Fabulous playing’ (BBC Record Review)

‘Not only does the Brabant Ensemble give us splendid performances of all the music, to convince us that these are far from sweepings from the workshop floor, Stephen Rice brings us up to date on Josquin research, including what little is still known about his ancestry and his life … without boring the reader with too much detail, the notes also address the issue of what is certainly Josquin, probably Josquin, partly Josquin, and not Josquin—as controversial as some of the attributions of paintings of the period. All the music here is free from asterisks in the authoritative edition, though some of it contains additions from later hands. At the risk of appearing to be fixated on Josquin, I’m already considering this recording as one of my six choices for Recording of the Year 2021’ (MusicWeb International)

‘I doubt if any other group will ever excel this performance … an essential purchase for the admirers of Machaut’s music, and … a good place for beginners to get to know it’ (MusicWeb International)

«On connaît Stephen Hough comme un grand virtuose, mais aussi comme un grand penseur. Il plonge corps et âme dans les tableaux angoissés (Funérailles de Liszt) sur son piano Yamaha CFX aux couleurs plus ouvertes et brillantes que mordorées» (Le Devoir)» More

‘As Britain’s elder-statesman pianist, Stephen Hough has always thought outside the box, making unexpected juxtapositions, exhuming forgotten treasures, and interlarding things with compositions of his own. This CD offers a tour d’horizon of works on the theme of death, but there’s nothing morbid about it … with Hough, it’s needless to add that the pianism is immaculate throughout’ (The Independent)» More

‘Namoradze captures the magic and romance of these miniature masterpieces [Fragments from Hans Andersen] to perfection … [he] relishes the insouciant romanticism and exuberant virtuosity of the Concert Study No 1 in G Flat; but this almost feels like a warm-up for the Lisztian (Mephistophelian?) Concert Study No 2 in F. Both are tremendous fun to listen to, and no doubt to play—providing you’re equipped with a technique such as the present performer’s!’ (Limelight, Australia)» More

‘It’s early days, but I’ve already earmarked this young Georgian pianist’s dazzling debut disc as a potential Recording of the Year: his sheer technical brilliance will make you catch your breath time and again, but he’s also a born story-teller, bringing Andersen’s Metal Pig and Tin Soldier to life with an abundance of charm, wit and warmth. Despite their rather utilitarian titles, the twelve Op 46 studies are scarcely less characterful in his hands, the alla marcia exercise ‘for the glissando’ a particular delight’ (Presto Classical)

‘This delightful disc is a treasure chest of lesser-known works given beautifully attentive performances from the acclaimed young pianist Nicolas Namoradze’ (BBC Music Magazine)» More

‘El León de Oro have already impressed with their earlier initial release: Amarae Morti (Hyperion CDA68279). Formidable as Peter Phillips’ recordings with his own Tallis Scholars are … his work with these Spanish singers is equally impressive. Not too long ago, Spanish choirs singing their own music left something to be desired; this recording offers one of several reasons why that’s no longer the case. Peter Phillips, as honorary director, has the lion’s share of this new recording and contributes the notes, with their principal director, Marco Antonio García de Paz, rounding the programme off with four excerpts from Guerrero’s Canciones y villanescas espirituales (Venice, 1589)’ (MusicWeb International)

‘Guillaume de Machaut (c1300-77) took special care for the preservation of his output, having his collected works copied into a series of lavish presentation manuscripts—the vocal contents of which the Orlando Consort have been steadily recording for Hyperion since 2012 … most exciting is the final motet Tant doucement m’ont attrait in which, over a slow bass line, the top parts challenge and dodge one another at the double’ (BBC Music Magazine)» More

‘To call this a concept album would be to diminish its power and timeliness. It is both a meditation on the fragility of life and a Bergmanesque game of chess with Death, for which Hough has laid out his pieces and pawns in a masterstroke of programming … there is a poised and noble feel to Hough’s Chopin, subtly embellished as it is with effortless rubatos. Listen to the Trio section of the Scherzo for a masterclass in unselfconscious artistry. Or marvel at the natural flowing tempo for the Funeral March, supporting a cinematographic contrast of ever more invasive death knells and subdued mourning … two of Hough’s own arrangements, of a Korean traditional song and of Gounod/Bach, are at once transcendental and defiant: checkmate Death’ (Gramophone)

‘A fine choice for Machaut newcomers and enthusiasts alike; it brings Machaut's music alive’ (AllMusic, USA)