Schubert: Rastlose Liebe, D138

“'Gretchen am Spinnrade' is a model of how a middle-weight voice can scale the song's peaks thanks to an inner conviction and trusting how the notes and words can shoulder the dramatic weight...So beautiful is her enunciation in the Swedish-language Sibelius songs that you could take phonetic dictation...The Grieg songs show signs of vocal tiring...In 'Die verschwiegene Nachtigall', though, one can hardly imagine a more alluring nightingale song.” Gramophone Magazine, August 2012

“a lovely, beautifully balanced recital...In an opening Schubert set, Persson, for all the natural brightness of her voice, achieves the right aching heaviness in Lied der Mignon, and a beguiling sense of gentle repose in Du bist die Ruh.” Sunday Times, 15th July 2012

“Persson is beautiful and so is her voice, so she starts with a big advantage. But that is only the start...I did find...that there was a danger of monotony, undercharacterisation and reliance on sheer undeniable vocal beauty. Roger Vignoles is an ideal accompanist, setting the mood with a few notes or chords” BBC Music Magazine, September 2012 ***

“Persson clearly relishes the possibility of characterization particular songs...The voice is light and lyric throughout but there's power too when required, so the final lines of Du bist die Ruh are radiant...However - and this is possibly a subjective caveat - what Persson lacks is the kind of rounded warm tone and inner conviction that makes the best Schubert recitals so warmly satisfying...Hosford is the perfect partner up on the rock” International Record Review, September 2012

“Kate Royal's beautifully sung new album, with finely characterised piano-playing from Malcolm Martineau, ranges imaginatively across a spectrum of composers who have captured the first pangs, the heartaches and the dashed hopes that can make life such a maelstrom of emotion.” Gramophone Magazine, March 2011

“Royal, with Malcolm Martineau at the piano, finds a character and colour for each of her 28 songs...William Bolcom’s gentle “Wait in” at the start and finish is well justified, and her Bridge and Britten are heartfelt, but the gem is Amy Beach’s winsome “Ah, Love but a day!”.” Financial Times, 11th February 2011 ****

“Royal's idea of combining songs of disparate eras and styles to tell a single love story works beautifully...[She] sings with radiant beauty and powerful emotional immediacy. If the golden warmth of her voice shows a hint of tightening when pushed on her high notes, it doesn't detract from the overall impact.” Classic FM Magazine, April 2011 ****

“An intriguingly fresh and unhackneyed programme...Kate Royal proves herself a compelling recitalist, colouring words with feeling and creating vivid atmosphere and character.” The Telegraph, 6th March 2011 ****

“Royal is generally in fine voice...luscious warmth is much in evidence. Royal is an exception among the majority of lyric sopranos these days in boasting an especially substantial middle range, which really glows throughout this disc.” International Record Review, March 2011

“Royal is on fine form in the Schumann and Schubert Lieder, with Malcolm Martineau at the piano stage-managing the show admirably, as indeed he does throughout.” BBC Music Magazine, April 2011 ****

“One of the most versatile, as at ease in Baroque repertoire as in music from Handel and Mozart to Schumann, Fink's rich, warm voice boasts the perfect blend of colour and clarity.” The Observer

“[Fink's] Schubert springs directly from the eloquence of her diction, her understanding of the text and the velvet-like beauty of her exquisite mezzo-soprano. Nobody who loves Schubert should forgo the pleasures of this fine singing and playing. One of the records of the year, no doubt” Sunday Times, 24th August 2008 *****

“We're conscious throughout of a great voice superbly controlled, though [Fink] doesn't give nearly enough attention to words or expressive detail.” Tim Ashley, The Guardian, 12th September 2008 ***

“Supported by Huber's faultless articulation, Fink's tender tone and perfect diction relect every nuance of emotion in the modulations of 'Im Frühling' and 'Dass sie hier gewesen'” The Independent, 7th September 2008

“The clear, unfettered lyrical mezzo of Bernardo Fink makes this a winning new Schubert recital…” BBC Music Magazine, October 2008 ****

“This superlative disc, worthy of 10 stars establishes the mezzo Bernarda Fink as one of today’s great artists. The simplicity of her approach to Schubert is part of her magic. No arch mannerisms, no exaggerated emotion, but no lack of passion and insight. On every track you will find inspiration working at full intensity. She has the poise of a Ludwig. Even in the best known songs, she brings a fresh sense of adventure. Gerhard Huber is he accomplished pianist.” Sunday Telegraph

“It's Maltman's superb breath control which gives shape and sensuous beauty to Debussy and Dupare. And, thanks to Drake's restraining pace, Warlock's Captain Stratton's Fancy' has real swagger. Flanders and Swann's little masterpiece… about the Honeysuckle and the Bindweed, ends the recital in raptuous applause.” BBC Music Magazine, February 2008 ****

“Christopher Maltman… is remarkably skilful in the management of his voice, dealing wonderfully well with Debussy's high tessitura and still plumbing the depths with ease as he does at the end of "Der Wanderer" and "La vague et la cloche". Julius Drake is his perfect counterpart...” Gramophone Magazine, Janurary 2008

“With Gerald Moore (who returned to the studio out of retirement especially for the occasion) still at this finest, this is a hugely satisfying collection...There are no texts, but this remains an unmissable reissue.” Penguin Guide, 2011 edition ****