‘Having become accustomed to the rather sweet sounds of Finnish choirs doing Mäntyjärvi, this new release from Hyperion comes across as wonderfully sumptuous … it takes a world-class ensemble to fully bring out the sumptuousness of all this harmonic colour, and the Choir of Trinity College Cambridge is just such an ensemble … Jaakko Mäntyjärvi’s works have been recorded on many occasions in the past, to be sure, but he certainly deserves—and perhaps needed—a showcase album by a top-quality choir’ (YLE, Finland)» More

‘[d'Erlanger's] quintet dates from 1902, and I rather fell for the quiet depths of the second movement … rewarding performances of both works by Piers Lane and the Goldner Quartet’ (BBC Record Review)

‘Between them, Alban Gerhardt and Jukka-Pekka Saraste do a grand job on behalf of Shostakovich’s two Rostropovich-centric Cello Concertos (Opuses 107 & 126), the Cologne Radio Symphony Orchestra (WDR) also proving to be a protagonist of distinction … these are inspired performances’ (colinscolumn.com)» More

‘Such tenderness in the opening movement [of the Fantasie]—Schumann's deep lament for Clara—then more extrovert but never flamboyant; deeply thought and felt from beginning to end … I was captivated by it under the peculiar circumstances of our first 'live' broadcast from Wigmore Hall last year, but the magic is in this studio recording as well, and it's a well-balanced sound. The intimacy and every mercurial change of colour and mood in Schumann's Kreisleriana; less volcanic than some, perhaps, but Hough doesn't have to shout to make his musical points. The opening Arabeske is a deliciously understated way to start as well. It's Schumann from the top drawer … my Record of the Week’ (BBC Record Review)

‘The recording quality is exemplary as is usual for Hyperion, the cover notes are interesting and replete with plenty of detail about these neglected gems and the playing time is very generous. To sum up, this is a marvellous CD, there is a wide variety of music included and all is played with consummate skill. I recommend all piano music fans to go out and buy a copy as there is some magnificent playing here as well as some very neglected works which deserve to be better known. I also look forward to further recordings by Andrey Gugnin who is clearly someone well worth listening to’ (MusicWeb International)

‘Put simply, I’ve rarely encountered such a wide ranging, provocative, intelligently curated, effectively paced, and brilliantly performed program of contemporary harpsichord music’ (Classics Today)» More

‘Rare Portuguese polyphony from a Portuguese vocal ensemble … Luís Toscano directs his ensemble Cupertinos. It's a different sound quality to The Tallis Scholars or the other professional Brits that do this kind of repertoire—soprano lines slightly forwards, lighter bass—a slightly dark, distant recorded sound that works very effectively … three major first recordings’ (BBC Record Review)

‘This is quite possibly my disc of the year. Notwithstanding Sir James MacMillan’s sensational music, the playing of both Lawrence Power and the BBC Philharmonic is beyond exceptional. To end with another teaser: Martyn Brabbins seems to have become my favourite conductor—when did he last make a duff record?’ (MusicWeb International)» More

‘A singular synthesis of extraordinary solo playing, exceptional conducting and exquisite orchestral performance’ (The Whole Note, Canada)» More

‘These singers are always nicely in tune and effectively blended, especially in the slower movements of the Mass where they strongly project the chordal colouring in the 'Qui tollis' and perfectly intensify the false relations in the first Agnus’ (BBC Music Magazine)

‘Here we have a cohesive, effective, taut programme of 20th-century harpsichord works that builds surely in density, complexity and philosophical provocation as it proceeds. In terms of programming, it’s a winner … there’s a lot here to get your teeth into’ (Gramophone)

‘Harpsichord soloist Mahan Esfahani has made something of a name for himself as an enfant terrible of early music. His dazzling performances and imaginative recital programmes have forged his reputation as an artist to be reckoned with, and this compelling new disc of contemporary music—described by Esfahani as 'the culmination of years of thinking about under-served areas of harpsichord repertoire'—finds him on suitably fiery form … a passionate and gifted advocate of new music’ (BBC Music Magazine)