"...The soloists on this album, especially Lucy Crowe, who seems born to sing the music, are all wonderful, and Edward Gardner elevates the performance tradition of Lutoslawski’s music to a new level. Superb music, superbly performed and recorded makes a most desirable release."
Steven Ritter - AudiophileAudition.com - 28 September 2012
“How wonderful that Lutoslawski’s vocal works are given readings of urgency and beauty in this recording. Edward Gardner is generating a fine reputation for himself in the United Kingdom ... I can attest to his keen ear and his innate musicality, both traits that manifest in no uncertain terms on the present disc ...”
Colin Clarke – Fanfare – March/April2012
“...This is a valuable collection, beautifully performed and worthy of your time. Don’t hesitate to pick it up.”
Gimbel – American Record Guide – January-February 2012
“Record of the Month”
“At the end of 2010 I nominated the first volume in this series as my Record of the Month. If anything, this one is even finer... Magnificent music, superbly performed by an all-British team, and with outstanding Chandos sound and presentation to match.”
William Hedley – MusicWeb-International.com – 6 December 2011
***** (Exceptional)
Giuseppe Rossi - Musica - November 2011
“...With the best lineup of soloists around and the BBC Symphony Orchestra on top form, this was always going to be soething special, but it exceeds even my expectations ... Total immersion Lutoslawski – really magical.”
Dominy Clements – Musicweb International.com – 1 November 2011
Editor’s Choice
“...This has the feeling of an award-winner about it, a release with ‘play me again’ etched in the material of each performance.” *****
Andrew Stewart – Classic FM magazine - November 2011
Performance **** Recording ****
“... An attractively varied, highly accomplished release.”
John Allison – BBC Music magazine – November 2011
*****
Andrew Clements - The Guardian - 2 September 2011
“This is a superb follow-up to the CD of the same composer’s orchestral music released by Chandos a year ago ... With music ranging from youth to old age, the disc adds up to a fascinating traversal of Lutoslawski’s style.” *****
Andrew Clark – Financial Times – 27 August 2011