‘Fischer's slightly slower tempos and stunning sonics capture the crushing power of both pieces so well that there's no question of any lack of excitement. The magnificent engineering really counts in this brilliant but also very heavily scored music. The BBC National Orchestra plays with plenty of power … if you don't know this music, here's your chance to get acquainted with two very grand 20th century masterpieces’ (Classics Today)

‘Psalm 47 is certainly not for the faint-hearted. It begins and ends in a huge welter of sound, with vigorous dance rhythms and brilliantly coloured orchestration. The BBC Chorus of Wales gives a confident account of music its members can’t have sung very often, if at all. Anglo-Swiss soprano Christine Buffle sings the seductively tender central solo with great tonal warmth, matched by orchestra leader Lesley Hatfield’s supple playing in the accompanying violin obbligato … the orchestral sound in this performance 'La tragédie de Salomé' has a seductive tonal allure, and some beautifully phrased woodwind playing, the dance rhythms have a real spring in their heels, and the wordless women’s voices of the chorus and solo soprano Jennifer Walker take their place as an additional tone-colour very effectively. The whole thing is shaped with a keen sense of drama … Hyperion’s recording has depth and presence, and handles the massive wall of sound in Psalm 47 comfortably. This is Thierry Fischer’s first recording as Principal Conductor of BBCNOW; it looks set to be an exciting partnership’ (Classical Source)

‘Thierry Fischer is a committed advocate of this often mesmerising score, and the BBC NOW rises enthusiastically to its challenges, sinister at first, glitzy in the Dance of Pearls, and packing a punch at the end … Christine Buffle is a commanding soloist … the orchestra and chorus clearly have a tremendous time … the rarely heard Suite sans esprit de suite is an engaging bonus in a packed and enticing disc’ (BBC Music Magazine)

‘One of his most stirring pieces [Psalm 47]. However, his exotic ballet on the Salome story is his masterpiece, and it is scored with great ingenuity; the lesser known Suite, finally, strings together five varied dances … the performances are excellent and full of telling detail’ (The Daily Telegraph)

‘Thierry Fischer's no-holds-barred approach brings Schmitt's Psalm and Salomé to vivid life … terrific stuff’ (Classic FM Magazine)

‘Hyperion’s panoramic aural perspective, warmly detailed in quieter moments and tumultuously filled at the frequently frenzied, makes a best sonic case for these overloaded blockbusters, the glistening, profound orchestral capture rendering Florent Schmitt’s fin de siecle contrivance of luridly empurpled passages with varieties of violet and mauve, so to speak, as seen through smog in a Los Angeles sunset … enthusiastically recommended’ (Fanfare, USA)

‘The three thrilling and beautiful works recorded here make a strong case for his music … Psalm 47 … is a work extravagant enough for Schmitt to have been termed 'the new Berlioz' … music that swaggers with barbaric splendour and radiates luxuriant ecstasy … this is a fantastically uplifting musical spectacular! [Suite sans esprit de suite] the work as a whole exudes brilliance and tenderness, wit and charm, and is orchestrated both skilfully and imaginatively … [La tragédie de Salomé] whether mysterious or furious, Schmitt's command of orchestral magnificence and colour is masterly, as is his ability to characterise through melody and sound. These three works enjoy a resounding and sensitive response from Thierry Fischer and his BBC Welsh forces in music that will surely find popularity through this release … resplendent in performance and recording quality’ (International Record Review)

'Un trabajo absolutamente recomendable. Obligatorio' (CD Compact, Spain)

‘Capricorn’s blazing performance of the Serenade is what really makes this disc a standout among recent Schnittke releases’ (Fanfare, USA)

‘Admirable performances of classic Schnittke’ (Classic CD)

‘The Holst Singers have done an excellent job … they have a beautiful, cool sound in the best British tradition, and the deep bass voices bring forth some glorious noises … this disc is hugely welcome … fascinating and, ultimately, uplifting’ (MusicWeb International)

‘Stephen Layton’s Holst Singers really show their mettle … Schnittke fans will want to hear this; and anyone else who’s curious about what one of the 20th Century’s more intriguing and inventive composers was up to during the 1980’s also should check it out’ (Classics Today)