Rachmaninov: Ves tabor spit (from Aleko) (Aleko's Cavatina)

“The basis for this recital is refreshing...Kwiecien really enters the spirit of [The Haunted Manor aria], his focused voice blazing forth in what was the composer's barely concealed encouragement of his countrymen after their unsuccessful uprising against the Russians in 1863...The final scene of King Roger, in which the orchestra holds sway for some while, finds the baritone releasing his sound to the fullest.” International Record Review, January 2012

“The basic sound – a mix of grit and velvet – is immensely appealing, though there are moments of constriction in his upper registers, and an occasional pulse in his tone. On the plus side, he has a remarkable ability to colour his voice to suit each character, so that Borodin's Prince Igor, thinking of his wife on the eve of battle, sounds very different from Rachmaninov's Byronic Aleko, teetering on the edge of self-destruction.” The Guardian, 5th January 2012 ****

“Your head might explode in the final track of Slavic Heroes. Bombarded by treacly tones and the lush eroticism of Szymanowski's Król Roger, this is heady stuff indeed. But it's just one of many such treats on Mariusz Kwiecień's new recording...The sheer lyrical arrogance of his dismissal of Tatyana breaks your heart. And, as if playing the opera for real, his Act 3 aria is palpably neurotic... I cannot wait to hear Kwiecień performing these roles live.” Entartete Musik, 8th January 2012

“Kwiecieñ fields wide variety of dynamic and tone-colour to convey dramatic mood...he is greatly aided by the exceptional playing of Borowicz's marvellous orchestra, and indeed by his conducting, which raises this disc high above run-of-the-mill recitals. Their hair-raising account of the finale of King Roger is alone worth the price....This is a lovely disc, thanks to both singer and conductor.” Opera, February 2012

“His Onyegin...is close to ideal: lyrical, still youthful, attentive to nuances of notes and text. Roger’s ecstatic Hymn to Apollo could hardly be bettered today.” Sunday Times, 22nd January 2012

“Like Tchaikovsky's hero, Kwiecien's programme vacillates between hauteur and abandon, contrasting various arias with no apparent strain. The Czech repertoire ("Certova Stena" and "Selma Sedlak") is on a more intimate scale, but "Hymn to Apollo" from Szymanowski's King Roger is divine.” The Independent on Sunday, 22nd January 2012

“[His signature roles] suggest a certain dashing Italianate quality that's refelcted in his voice: lighter, less rich and chocolatey than some Slavic rivals, for example Dmitri Hvorostovsky. But he also sounds more luminous and less thickly textured, with excellent diction and bel canto agility...Backed by an obviously committed Polish conductor, Kwiecien offers a seriously appealing recital, recorded in first-rate sound.” BBC Music Magazine, February 2012 ****

“this thoughtfully planned recital holds several welcome discoveries, and Kwiecień’s assured performances are an enticement unto themselves...Apart from passing traces of constriction on top, Kwiecień delivers everything robustly and sensitively, and receives fine, idiomatic support” Classical Review, January 2012

“the programming fills a valuable niche...Invariably, Kwiecien gives vocally solid, passionate accounts of the music. His well focused (if not exceptionally glamorous) baritone gives a luxuriously clean sense of line...Kwiecien's Onegin is particularly nuanced.” Gramophone Magazine, March 2012

“There’s a husky darkness to the voice. It’s frequently beautiful, but highly expressive, especially when used with real restraint. The attraction of this well-produced aria disc is the repertoire...Play it at maximum volume and weep.” The Arts Desk, 17th March 2012