‘There's so much beauty, subtlety and originality in Hewitt's first movement [Concerto] … the two rarer works for piano and orchestra are a treat—especially the Introduction and Concert-Allegro, Op 134 … Hewitt and Lintu give its recurrent falling sixth a wonderful, sensual scrunchiness … this recording should be applauded for its passion, detail, courage and commitment’ (BBC Music Magazine)

‘[Hamelin’s] reading is glorious in its blend of virtuosity and emotional commitment … The recording quality is first-rate. I doubt very much if the current year will produce a finer piano CD’ (Musical Opinion)

‘While there’s no shortage of either visceral excitement or poetic exploration, this remains supremely balanced playing … If you’re already a Hamelin aficionado, of course, you won’t need my urging to buy this disc; but if you’ve been wary because of his usually offbeat repertoire, here’s a chance to see what he can contribute to the mainstream. Top recommendation’ (Fanfare, USA)

‘Genuinely outstanding disc’ (The Guardian)

‘Hamelin brings a transcendental technique and passionate romantic temperament to music that, more often than not, is the preserve of pianistic intellectuals and poets. But his performances of the great C major Fantasy and the Symphonic Studies are not merely exercises in virtuosity. His astounding feats of dexterity and dazzling spectrum of colour are constantly put to the service of the music. This is freshly conceived Schumann, light and brilliant in bravura passages—the concluding Allegro brillante of the Etudes rarely sounds so joyous—yet never lightweight in reflective music: the slow third movement of the Fantasy is a poignantly poetic meditation, while the lovely Andantino of the Sonata glows with an entirely appropriate inward emotional intensity. Hamelin's Schumann ideally combines the extrovert and introspective characteristics of this glorious music. Highly recommended’ (The Sunday Times)

‘If you want to experience a whirlwind ride, Hamelin is definitely your man. A remarkable tour-de-force’ (The Irish Times)

‘A dazzling technician fuses technical dexterity and poetry to compelling effect … for me the outstanding performance is the great C major Fantasie … so beautifully voiced and phrased I can only say that it moved me more deeply than any I have heard for a long time’ (Gramophone)

‘These are among the most poetic readings you will find by anyone. The tone is beautiful, the phrases long and songful, the drama passionate. This disc whets one’s appetite for more mainstream masterpieces from the world’s fastest fingers’ (Capital Times)

‘Supreme artistry’ (Pianist)

‘A tonic to refresh those worn-out ears—or for anyone who loves chamber music’ (The Dallas Morning News)

„Empfehlung des Monats … das Klavierquintett klingt gleichermaßen beredt wie fantasievoll, nicht zuletzt dank Marc-Andre Hamelin. Spielfreudiger, kenntnisreicher lasst sich das. [Streichquartett] kaum darstellen“ (Fono Forum, Germany)

‘The verve of the Takács is irresistible, especially when the players are partnered in the Piano Quintet by Marc-André Hamelin … the heart quickens most when Hamelin's febrile fingers urge the strings ever further into the Quintet's special blend of turbulence, joy and nostalgia’ (The Times)