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Reviews

Outstanding pianist meets excellently prepared orchestra

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NDR Kultur (Germany) 14 January 2023

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.

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MusicWeb International 1 October 2021

the technically brilliant Simon Callaghan

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung 20 August 2021

Callaghan is a master colourist of the keyboard.

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Classical Explorer 26 December 2020

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

BBC Music Magazine
BBC Music Magazine

★ ★ ★ ★★ ...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.

the-independent
Independent 25 November 2020

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

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MusicWeb International 2 February 2020

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.

gramophone
Gramophone 14 July 2019

An excellent sound... well thought out programme

Le Coin de l'Art 5 September 2018

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

Schleswig-Holsteinischer Zeitungsverlag 4 September 2018

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

MusicWeb International 4 September 2018

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.

Fanfare Magazine (USA) 31 August 2018

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

Deutschlandfunk 26 August 2018

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

The Sunday Times 25 August 2018

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

De Volkskrant (Netherlands) 8 August 2018

...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

Radio Bremen (Germany) 31 July 2018

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.

gramophone
Gramophone 17 July 2018

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

Classical Source 2 June 2018

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

Fanfare Magazine (US) 28 February 2018

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

Record Geijutsu
Record Geijutsu (Japan) 1 February 2018

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

BBC Radio 3 Record Review 2 December 2017

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

Noordhollands Dagblad 27 November 2017

...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.

British Music Society Journal 20 November 2017

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

gramophone
Gramophone 6 November 2017

...velvet-gloved pianism of ravishing sensitivity

The Strad 7 September 2017

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

The Straits Times (Singapore) 5 September 2017

...primordial musicality and a flawless technique.

Trouw (Netherlands) 15 June 2017

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.

Martyn Brabbins

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

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung 28 September 2016

✶✶✶✶✶ ...very fine pianism...strongly recommended

Musical Opinion 30 September 2015

Simon Callaghan extracts every ounce of eloquence and fantasy from this intriguing repertoire.

gramophone
Gramophone 31 July 2015

Callaghan's spirited and skilful playing is impressive

The Birmingham Post 31 May 2015

Callaghan's judgement is proved spot-on, and he makes an eloquent advocate

The Sunday Times 30 April 2015

very much a new figure, and force, in recording and performance

Quarterly Review 30 April 2015

a musician of the highest calibre...elegant phrasing and subtle rubato

Ivor Gurney Journal 1 January 2014

notable artistry... I look forward to more CDs from this fine player.

Musical Opinion 28 January 2010

What a wonderful pianist, who combines complete understanding of the style of music he is playing with a rare subtlety and brilliance of execution

Sir Roger Norrington

I was very impressed by his fluent, skilful pianism and his innate musicality. He plays with intelligence and conviction and I wish him much success in his musical career

Stephen Hough