Marvelously played and recorded!

I look forward to listening to hopefully many more recordings by Marcia Hadjimarkos. This album offers a wonderful mix of composers, some of whom I am already familiar, and some that are new. Her previous recordings (there aren’t many) have been very warmly received by professional reviewers, including in Fanfare.

Many thanks to Outer Marker and Native DSD for introducing me to Hadjimarkos’ talent.

This reading of Mozart Sonatas by the great pianist Gil Sullivan is a result of a deep research of composer's life circumstances, with a highest analysis of composing process, marks and signs seriously followed, however succeeding to escape from performance in a traditional manner.

His interpretation is extremely honest, telling us through the every way of phrasing, composers inner true. It is quite impossible to hear the recordings less than couple of times in a row, as during the listening someone's attention is drawn to plethora of details, regarding underlying voices, counterpoint parts and their cohesion with the upper voice, combined with the perfect chosen articulation.

This recording is a real achievement in the today's world of typical and predictable performances. Aimed for those listeners who admire and respect artists, who are able to channel the main thoughts of composer, giving us, on the other hand, a lot of his own personality, ideas and emotions.

Everything about this album is sublime. The melodies are incredibly beautiful and Chen Yi's playing reached deep into my soul.

Lars Hannibal's guitar playing is a wonderful complement to the violin and, quite often, his sound gave me the impression of a soft piano.

I was transported to a world of pure beauty for the whole album. Press play, sit back, close your eyes, relax and enjoy.

The performance is terrific. The recording is excellent. The soundstage via balanced headphones is exquisite. Well done recording engineers. So, how about the music you say? I am rather new to George Walker. These pieces are rather engaging at first. But by the time you listen to the full set, they all sound alike. I kept waiting for an actual melody to be stated and developed. But that never happened. This sounds more like a movie score than classical music fare. Granted, I understand that is it modern and George was pushing frontiers, but it still grew a bit tiresome to me, hence 4 stars instead of 5. All other aspects are fantastic. No regrets, I will listen to this again from time to time, if perhaps for just the recording quality. Kudos to Gianandrea Noseda and the National Symphony Orchestra. Well played!

Yes! I’m so glad I found these recordings. Along with Mr Sullivan’s undoubted skill and virtuosity I am delighted to hear the music being played as though every note meant something, being played with thoughtful ,comprehensive, dynamism and balanced phrasing which together evoke a satisfying depth of emotion.

Mesmerizing music. Dreamy. Beautifully played. Gorgeously recorded and processed, as are all NativeDSD TRPK albums in my collection. The Day the Light Came may be my favorite track, but all are good.

Highly recommended!

The Australian pianist, Gil Sullivan, recently released the album Hidden Voices, Mozart Piano Sonatas, Volume III on the Hunnia Records label. It includes sonata Nos. 4, 9, 8 by the very young Mozart (even No. 8 was written in 1777 when Mozart was merely 21) as well as No. 16.

I found the interpretation of Mozart's work by Sullivan was very engaging and sustained my great attention and curiosity to hear what Sullivan was about to do next. The title Hidden Voices at first glance should point to Sullivan’s carrying of Mozart’s inner polyphonic voices. But the title also made sense in the following way — Sullivan is placing a microscope over the music and revealing hidden ‘expressive practice’ all over the place.

The moment you press play, do not expect merely sugar coated chocolate (with cream added) sounds and predictability, and do not assume Sullivan is going to play in the way that is presently fashionable. What is fashionable now and what was fashionable then has not a great deal in common; though many wouldn't know it, and possibly wouldn't want to know if they had the chance. We have not only the literature describing how composer-pianists performed, but also some important rare recordings by early living composer-pianists, born even in the early 1800s, that are pretty revealing. A good example is Carl Reinecke, born 1824 for which we are fortunate to have many roll recordings. Sullivan has a lot more in common with Reinecke than what you hear repeated again and again today. I'll try to get to the essence of what this means.

Mozart's phrasings are rather unusual to our modern ears. It would be much simpler task for Sullivan to play the works complying to the conventions specific to our current time — which we invariably mistakenly view as universal. In the quest for meeting the most minimal scrutiny, some pianists, inadvertently or not, enjoy this strategy. Sullivan doesn't. It is far harder to play what Mozart actually phrased. Sullivan's playing is thoughtful, calculated and rich with ideas. Even with popular movements such as the Andante of Sonata No. 16, the work is presented as a new invention, as if Gil had just recently worked on it and presented it as a new composition. Fans of familiar recordings, wanting a repeat of what they have been indoctrinated to enjoy, may gasp.

To enjoy the great artistic value in the recordings, let me warn that they do demand serious attention, or I would go further and say 'participation'. Sullivan's recordings, like Reinecke, in particular allow you to observe some real interpretation going on — for which I mean observing the act of interpreting itself, if you see the distinction. As I wrote at the outset, you don't listen to Sullivan for sugar, but to experience your own discovery, along with Sullivan, and an unfolding of ideas. You really want to listen to Sullivan whilst concentrating, not whilst driving — or maybe you can go for it, but you might be in for some trouble. Your insurance company won’t understand your explanation that the Mozart interpretation required your attention.

Sullivan goes out of his way to read Mozart's markings diligently. I heard in an interview that Sullivan read - “many times” - Mozart's 614 extant letters in order to feel the character in Mozart much more than most. At the first pass, I wondered if the playing lacked a rhythmic accentuation to provide the dance-like, or folk music, quality within Mozart. Probably, but other people will differ. Sullivan's ability to alter the touch, the pedaling, the use of crescendos and diminuendos, and so on, are so richly and resourcefully applied, and always with a purpose, whether structural or marking a novel harmony or other change. 

Listening to these recordings — I played them over many days whilst walking amongst nature, and not in any order — I learned to place my attention less upon the direct outward sound, and more upon Gil Sullivan's inner thought process. Without doing so, one could be inclined to mistakenly glance over the real substance, and real soul, of these recordings. When doing so, you may be in for a beautiful experience.

It is heartwarming to hear one, even if amongst only a few, modern pianists bucking the modern trend of rinse and repeat performances of the classics. As far as my intuition goes, I'm pretty sure Mozart would approve.

What a lovely recording. Clarity of tone and separation of instruments so like sitting in the audience. Not a simple accomplishment with complex symphonies.

It is impossible to overstate just how excellent this work is. This recording has opened up a whole new world to me I come back to visit frequently. Based on this release alone, I would travel to Iceland to see this performed live.

I hope that more work composed by Anna Thorvaldsdottir, and performed by the Iceland Symphony Orchestra makes its way to Native DSD.

Outstanding performance and sound quality.
I own 11 versions, this one is now my favorite.

This review relates to all three volumes of this set.

After over 60 years of listening to classical music, I have absolutely never heard worse piano playing in a profession recording.

This is so bad it’s as if the player were a third rate student at a third rate music college just hoping to graduate somehow. It’s too bad because the sound quality is good.

I would recommend different performances but this is so bad that literally anything else you could choose whatsoever would be better than this. Inexcusable.

This is an amazing album, superbly recorded!

The sound quality is first class. It sounds very good in all ranges. The album has depth, clarity and crystal clear highs.

This review comes from more than an audiophile perspective. But also from a music lover's point of view it is very good.

A must have in any music collection.

Excellent music and an excellent recording.

I agree totally the earlier review from NativeDSD Listener Marcus DiBenedetto.

I had never heard of Manfred Honeck before listening to this. I must say I am thoroughly impressed with him. His reading of Brahms 4th is just stunning and made even more so by the stellar Stereo DSD 256 recording. A great bonus is Maestro Honeck's very interesting and informative notes in the album's booklet.

My go-to Brahms 4th has always been Bernstein. But Maestro Honeck has relegated Lenny to 2nd place for me here. Now, if only Maestro Honeck would record Brahms 1st - in DSD 256 - of course.

¡Extraordinario!

Very wonderfully played and recorded. The sounds that Maya Fridman creates with her cello are so impressive, emotive and unique, and her teaming with equally wonderful musicians that I have since purchased all of Ms. Fridman’s available recordings at Native DSD.

Such a great surprise to have found this live album by Hungarian band Decolonize Your Mind Society. Specially because this type of music is rare to find among Hifi catalogues.

It's a marvelous live rendition full of energy and nuances. An indie band at its purest.

Greetings from Mexico

Completely in love with this album.

Veronika Szász's voice is amazingly warm and inviting. The whole tracks submerge you in a beautiful atmosphere. 5/5

Langston Hughes has always been a favorite poet of mine, and I admit I didn't know much, if anything, about Anne Sexton before hearing this music. However, I'm very glad I did!

The Langston songs are melodic and beautiful, using the Jazz idiom here and there, to great effect. The Soprano, who seems to be growing in her career, has a rich, operatic voice, with a wide range.

The Sexton songs are totally different, but the music really captures the insanity, and sometimes peacefulness, of these wild poems. Hemenger's music is indeed a discovery and I'll be interested to hear more.

Incredible!!!! One of the best albums I've heard in the last 3 years. The music is so...... captivating.

Angelo Verploegen is simply outstanding. You should definitely not miss this album.

My Foolish Heart is my favourite track. Listening to this album is very soothing. I feel like I'm sitting in a jazz café club.

It is very difficult to describe in words this unique album. I think it is important to listen to the album more than once. I highly recommend this album. It is a mix of contemporary music, improvisation, jazz and classical.

Excellent recording quality in DSD format. Truly angelic music that soothes the weary soul. Highly recommended.

good

I'm a first time user of DSD. The sound is unbelievably brilliant. I can’t wait to purchase more.

Being a long time David Elias fan I was disappointed with this album. It says it's a double album, but half of the double album is just the band talking to each other. You really can't even hear the talking so it's more like silence.

Too bad they didn't place track markers at the point where the music starts so you could skip all the talking and just hear the music. That's all I wanted.

A very beautiful and touching recording.

I love the voice of the singer. It's very warm, with a unique vivid and velvet timbre, tender musicality, high level virtuosity and it penetrates your heart with all kinds of emotions. Also great pronunciation in all three languages.

The guitarist has a very beautiful warm color with great finger technique. He plays temperamental at the same time which gives it the perfect combination. They have a great connection with each other. This makes the music very playful and emotional. These are songs that are very delightful to listen to. I hope to hear more of this duo in the future.

Excellent! 5 Stars.

Superb everything about this Beethoven Piano Concertos cycle. A pure joy!