Bach, J S: Chorale Prelude BWV727 'Herzlich tut mich verlangen'

“this is a compelling and instinctive new Bach recording.” Gramophone Magazine, September 2007

“Pierlot has already proved to be a sensitive and stylish Bach interpreter and in this recording his musicians illuminate Bach's textures with elegant phrasing and a pleasing balance between voices and instruments.” BBC Music Magazine, October 2007 ****

“Whatever one's view on single-voiced Bach, the performances here are among the most persuasive in this medium. Francis Jacob's organ playing is both searchingly fluid and articulated. With the odd misgiving, this is a compelling and instinctive new Bach recording.” Gramophone Magazine, September 2007

“On each disc, a group of chorale preludes (16 altogether) is bookended by mighty preludes and fugues: in D, E flat (St Anne), E minor (The Wedge), and the Toccata and Fugue in D minor, sounding pleasantly free of bombast.” Sunday Times, 31st May 2009 ***

“Markus Becker is a heroic exponent of this obscure yet satisfying repertoire, less 'pianistic' than the contemporary Bach-Busoni arrangements yet setting the performer equal if not greater challenges. A fascinating addition to Hyperion's series of Bach transcriptions.” BBC Music Magazine, July 2009 ****

“Das alte Jahr vergangen ist, BWV614, is slow and thoughtful, yet is made serenely beautiful in Becker's glowing performance. …the D minor Toccata and Fugue… is superbly articulated and full of colour, while we can hear the "organ effect" from the piano's sustaining pedal, generously applied. The result is just fascinating, and I do recommend you to try this collection. It really is rewarding.” Gramophone Magazine, August 2009

“Even though he is always meticulous at reimagining the sonorities in strictly pianistic terms, Reger's transcriptions are generally far more sober than the [Busoni's], especially in the chorale preludes which make up the bulk of both of these discs.” The Guardian, 10th July 2009 **