Reviews

it was exquisitely done and brought out the hints of Ravel and Hindemith that ripple through this jazz inspired work. Bluesy notes rocked moodily in the Andante, sweetly toned by Wallfisch, and the final movement had all the brilliance of its repeated pulse thrummed with spellbinding syncopation. Simon Callaghan was the jazz-perfect pianist.

It is a typical late romantic work with a brilliant piano part, which Callaghan knows how to play in a fascinating way. The St. Gallen Symphony Orchestra is also at the top level and knows how to play with effect and a fantastically colourful sound... Here Callaghan can show off all his technical skills.

A little more sensitive than that of Oleg Marshev and James Loughran twenty years ago (Danacord), Callaghan's interpretation, magnificently supported by the St. Gallen Symphony Orchestra and Modestas Pitrenas, embraces the elegance of this entertaining score.

... pianist Simon Callaghan picks you up at the start of each movement and maintains an expressive, flexible continuity to the end...[he] plays with a gorgeous tone, whether slow and legato or en pointe with rapid triplets. Above all, he takes “the long view,” as suggested above, weaving entire movements into flowing wholes.

Simon Callaghan… makes a sterling case… responsively supported by the Sinfonieorchester St Gallen under their Lithuanian director Modestas Pitrėnas.  Callaghan and Pitrėnas deliver a characterful, mellow-grained performance

Callaghan’s playing lacks nothing in conviction and panache, and he grabs the ears from the very first bars...Callaghan and the orchestra join forces with such obvious enjoyment and glee. All in all, followers of Hyperion’s series should listen without hesitation.

Callaghan's sparkling, articulate runs in Sauer's scherzo repeatedly catch the breath. His playing throughout is masterful.

Callaghan… confirms his vision, which combines brilliance, refinement and lyricism, already exhibited in the other three concertos… reveals himself entirely up to the job, without pathos or romantic exaggeration, but with a real concern for the balance between measured nuances and brilliant acting.

The British pianist Simon Callaghan, an intrepid explorer of forgotten as well as mainstream repertoire... gives shape and muscularity to this wistful music.

Trust me: you NEED this album.

British pianist Simon Callaghan is known for championing piano rarities and bringing works that have fallen into obscurity back into the limelight. His performance on this recording is authoritative and accomplished...

Pianists Simon Callaghan and Hiroaki Takenouchi have done themselves, the composers, and listeners a great service in presenting works by three twentieth-century British figures who deserve to be better known… The variety and sheer abundance of music featured is alone worth the price of admission, but one also repeatedly marvels at the razor-sharp synchronicity of the piano partners' playing.

a masterly performance…gentle flexibility and lovely rubato, with moments of great intensity.

Soloist Callaghan and the orchestra under Modestas Pitrėnas do a fabulous job with the three concertos here, leading the listener to conclude they have been unfairly overlooked... Callaghan's Steinway sounds wonderfully weighty and agile, and the balance between piano and orchestra is persuasively natural, ...It's a real discovery, and certainly cause for further exploration.

Simon Callaghan is winning a deserved reputation as a formidable advocate of forgotten British scores like these and has found a natural home with the ever-adventurous Lyrita label.

In every case, Simon Callaghan 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.

scintillating performance... marvellous music­-making...With tip-top sound throughout, this is a fascinating issue.

The Milivojević and Callaghan duo performances are tight, balanced and expressive.

These wonderfully idiomatic performances and the recording are outstanding, and Simon Callaghan plays reflectively when needed but also with great power and agility. Snap it up.

The keen-edged and eager performances convince you that Callaghan, the BBC NOW (who as a broadcasting ensemble are well used to breathing fresh life into music outside the mainstream) and the two conductors are everything you might cherish for such a project.

Wallfisch and Simon Callaghan are in full sympathy both with one another and with the music, lavishing fullness of tone and subtlety of nuance on both sonatas.

Outstanding pianist meets excellently prepared orchestra

Callaghan... is spry, vivid and full of optimistic romance and is clearly the superior technician...These are strong works in their own right and deserve a good hearing and in Callaghan’s expert performances that is precisely what they receive.

the technically brilliant Simon Callaghan

Callaghan is a master colourist of the keyboard.

Simon Callaghan, a devoted specialist in forgotten British repertoire, tackles this varied fare with aplomb.

★ ★ ★ ★★ ...here, thanks to Harry Potter actor Miriam Margolyes’s artistry and Simon Callaghan’s excellent pianism, is Poulenc’s delightful musical response. And as I listened to this recording, I found the original drawings reappearing in my mind with all their detail intact – extraordinary. It lasts just 30 minutes, but my god does it resonate.

He gets to the very essence of each individual piece, skilfully crafting them. All the energy and ebullience is tangible.

Possibly the biggest takeaway of this release, however, is the superb artistry of Simon Callaghan. Already represented by two discs in Hyperion’s Romantic Piano Concerto series, it is a pleasure to encounter his solo work. Clearly a musician of curiosity and discernment, Callaghan’s robust piano-playing is also thoughtful, subtle and refined. I look forward to hearing whatever he does next.

An excellent sound... well thought out programme

The performance of the British pianist, Simon Callaghan, was sublime

...bombastic virtuosity, which Callaghan addresses with consummate ease and brilliance...luminous sonorities

One only can wonder what Simon Callaghan will turn his attention to next. Whatever it is, I’ll bet his performances will be as rapturous as those on the present CD. Highly recommended.

...Simon Callaghan played with breathtaking nuance in the extremely complex, intricate "Le Jardin parfumé" by Kaikhosru Sorabji.

Callaghan makes the case... with flair and conviction.

The handful of recordings that already exist... are sent into the shadows by Simon Callaghan.

...this new CD is a gem. Simon Callaghan is a brilliant musician who stands out with the highest pianistic competence for the rarities of Scholz and Rheinberger

Callaghan has the technical wherewithal to encompass all its challenges – from big chordal textures to glistening passagework... the supremely gifted Ben Gernon coaxes terrifically colourful playing from the BBC Scottish SO.

Simon Callaghan’s interpretation was superb: absolute clarity, absolute precision. The swift straightforwardness was refreshing – no romantic relaxations here, just powerful Beethoven.

Callaghan and conductor Martyn Brabbins fashion performances that are completely idiomatic, while the fervor of the BBC Scottish Symphony is wonderful.

quick and witty pianism...such graceful technique, an acute sensibility that carries a strong awareness for the core meaning behind the work

I have nothing but praise for the performances... impressive pianism

...the highlight of the afternoon. Callaghan immediately showed with his commitment that instrument and player were in good shape

...one of the leading young British pianists with a wonderfully wide range of tone colours and a sure understanding of the structure and passion of the scores.

He throws himself into the concerto's physically taxing, Scriabinesque sound world with passion, total commitment and, it seems, heartfelt affection.

...velvet-gloved pianism of ravishing sensitivity

✶✶✶✶✶... lovely performances... delightful listening

...primordial musicality and a flawless technique.

Simon Callaghan was the ideal recording colleague. 100% prepared, totally unflappable, and playing with imagination, flair and colour. He is a musician of depth and sincerity. One of the UK’s finest young pianists.

...utmost elegance and an exemplarily controlled piano sound.