“…a pleasurable listening experience …”

“… The performances are fine. Callaghan’s interpretations bring out the many moods of such varied music with expert virtuosity. For example, his fingerwork in the closely voiced passages in the finale of the Jacob is dazzling. Both conductors – Vass in the Rubbra, Bell in the others – evince the many virtues of the works with good balances and a firm view of their overall shape…”

Performance ****      Sonics ****

“…Simon Callaghan's clean, lightweight piano sound, crisply articulate, is ideal for Jacob and Addison, who favor linear figurations over big, splashy chords. Callaghan is responsive to the varying moods, with many lovely moments…”

“…It seems amazing that, returning for a second disc of British piano concertos, Callaghan should again be able to come up with a trio of fine works which deserve to be better known and which are receiving their first recordings. Performances are excellent, allowing you to simply sit back, enjoy the music and wonder what else is out there!”

“… marvellous music-making… With tip-top sound throughout, this is a fascinating issue.”

Performance ****      Recording ***

“… Simon Callahan radiates delight in reviving these neglected items, and his pungent and precise fingering is matched by the spirited attack of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and their two conductors…”

“It is Gordon Jacob’s use of the orchestra in his Piano Concerto No. 2 that rouses the admiration more than any thematic material or structural device. Here is an arresting, accessible and individual work … that demands to be heard more often – at least when played like this… Simon Callaghan is winning a deserved reputation as a formidable advocate of British scores like these and has found a natural home with the ever-adventurous Lyrita label.”

“…Simon Callaghan is on hand to deliver the stylish and stylistically savvy performances, supported by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales who are on excellent form under the two fine conductors – Stephen Bell, who directs the Jacob and Addison and George Vass, who conducts the Rubbra. Paul Conway’s notes tell us everything we could possibly want to know and this Hoddinott Hall recording, which is splendidly judged acoustically, is made in association with BBC Radio 3.”

“…Good and committed interpretations make these three premiere recordings a program worth listening to.” *****

“…  a very well played and engineered disc .. All three works are genuinely enjoyable and worth hearing if – like me – you are interested in British 20^th Century music…”

“…These three works are far from rugged, rebarbative or unapproachable. They appealingly beckon and entreat listeners who need have no misgivings about performances or Lyrita’s engineering.”