‘The best and most comprehensive treatments the Wesley anthems are likely to have in commercial issue for some time to come’ (American Record Guide)

'Choirs such as Nigel Short’s Tenebrae and Jeffrey Skidmore’s Ex Cathedra steer away from the traditional path. Having said that, though Tenebrae open with 'Jingle Bells'—albeit in a Swingle-ish arrangement designed to discourage audience clapping—before exploring mainly the modern-accessible axis of seasonal music by Rutter, Tavener et al, and arrangements of older numbers. Fabulously sung, and closing with a 'Twelve Days of Christmas' complete with sound effects that cannot fail to provoke a giggle. Superbly sung and plenty of fun' (Gramophone)

‘John Scott's performance on the organ of St Paul's Cathedral are wholly sympathetic and convincing. The recording captures a good deal of the venue's ambience’ (Fanfare, USA)

‘You have to have this—for so many reasons’ (Organists' Review)

‘In a word, then, these performances are exemplary. The technical quality of the recording is equally high … this is a wonderful disc’ (International Record Review)

‘Julian Millard has caught the St Paul's organ to perfection, setting it at the heart of the cathedral's sumptuous acoustic while offering a dazzlingly clear view both of the instrument's myriad tone colours and Scott's superb virtuosity’ (Gramophone)

‘All three works are far more than vapid virtuoso showpieces, though all contain their share of thundering octaves and brilliant virtuoso display … Hyperion opts for a more transparent sound picture and slightly clearer woodwind and brass details, matched by Becker's lighter, sparkling touch; they have the better booklet (Nigel Simeone)—and, of course, if you are collecting their Romantic Piano Concerto series it will be de facto the first choice’ (Gramophone)

'The famous Widor organ symphony is the Fifth, its brilliant toccata finale a perennial wedding favourite. Joseph Nolan couples the Fifth with the Sixth Symphony on this first Widor volume, playing the magnificent Cavaille-Coll instrument of La Madeleine in Paris—an organ of just the range and dimensions for which Widor conceived these thrilling five-movement pieces. Gothic music meets Gothic organ here in performances that encompass a broad expressive spectrum from quiet meditation to dramatic thunder and lightning' (The Times)

'Nolan here offers the first fruits of seven nocturnal recording sessions in a row, during which he put down all ten of Widor's organ symphonies at the console of the superb four-manual, 60-stop, 4426-pipe Cavaille-Coll organ of La Madeleine, Paris. The first two symphonies of Widor's Opus 42 are grandly Romantic, five-movement behemoths that balance huge multicoloured edifices of devilish complexity with softer-lit landscapes populated by angelic choirs of varying dimensions … an absolute ripper of a performance that will have you positively skipping down the aisle' (Limelight, Australia)» More

‘Unerringly Cavaillé-Coll and a superb acoustic ambience captivate and grab us—by the ears and indeed by the throat [lumps in the] from bar one. Unbounded admiration, as Widor judges to a nicety the moment to call forth Swell reeds … the recording clarity is remarkable, only final chords revealing that we have been enjoying the fruits of some six seconds of reverberation. Joseph Nolan—formerly organist of St James's Palace, and, from 2008, of Perth Cathedral, Australia—is an utterly persuasive executant at the console. Thoroughly enjoyable' (Organists' Review)» More

'This is proving to be a highly impressive series, and one which you can return to with confidence, knowing that the performances will come up fresh on each hearing … there is a real sense of a live performance rather than the cut and paste of many earlier recordings … the dynamic changes within the church are impressive. Listen to the over-powering impact of the Marcia in the third symphony, followed by the reflective Adagio. Nothing sentimental or insipid in the quieter registration, but a real sensitivity towards the quieter voicing. Equally pleasing are the gentle Andante cantabile of the fourth symphony before the skittering of the Scherzo and the blazing finale. If you have not got the rest of the series—do so!' (Lark Reviews)» More

'This is volume four in Joseph Nolan’s widely acclaimed journey through the complete organ works of Charles-Marie Widor. The Perth organist’s high standards show no signs of slipping, with magnificent accounts of Symphonies Nos 7 and 8' (Limelight, Australia)» More