Undoubtedly one of the best versions of these cantatas by Handel. The instrumentally minimalist approach of the accompaniment evokes a chamber concert like the ones Handel himself performed at that time for Cardinals Pietro Ottoboni and Benedetto Pamphili.

Miguel's voice narrates the story of each cantata, full of light, shadows, roughness, and shimmering like mother-of-pearl shells. But undoubtedly the absolute jewel is the aria “Crede L'uomo” arranged for theorbo and voice, which was also the first oratorio composed by Handel, where Miguel's voice and the theorbo merge like a piece of the highest goldsmithery.

Without a doubt I think that all lovers of the Baroque and especially of Handel should listen to this album.

The first recording by Michael Kevin Jones I heard was his very fine 2012 performance of the Bach solo cello suites for EMEC (on a Stradivarius at the Metropolitan Museum of Art).

Since then, Jones has accumulated a rich and varied recorded repertoire. He is just at home in this recording as in the Bach. Both Jones are Doe are technically very accomplished performers and there is a great sense of dialogue in these two fine works.

Jones and Doe dig deep into the essence of the music in playing that is, by turns, tender, passionate and spirited. I particularly enjoyed the Andante and final movement in the Rachmaninov sonata, but their interpretation of the Prokofiev is also very satisfying.

I warmly recommend this performance. The recording quality, acoustics and the instruments played are also of a high order.

John Pike, violinist, Bristol, UK

How beautiful and historically accurate. Miguel is always working on this field and I can tell with this new project. So excited that his Handel has finally being released!!

A great remastered album! It is obvious that the bass is fuller. The loudness is more natural compared to the old CD version.

I love Cello & Piano repertoire, especially Russian composers. From my collection of Rachmaninoff recordings, the Jones & Wong Doe goes to the top!!! The sound is outstanding as is the performance. I highly recommend it!!!

I have been a fan of these artists for years and both of them have separately recorded my music (Michael Jones recorded "Songs from America" as part of the legendary Jones and Maruri Cello-Guitar Duo, and Henry Wong-Doe brilliantly recorded the solo piano piece "Four Places in New York" - both are available on most streaming services). When I heard they were getting together for performances and recordings, it seemed a natural fit. I was lucky enough to catch one of the concerts on the most recent tour, which included the Rachmaninoff and brought down the house!

By the time they made this recording, this repertoire was flowing through their veins and it shows. They are truly a dynamic duo and being able to hear them in this extremely hi-fidelity recording with none of the MP3 compression is marvelous.

I hope these two will tour and record many more times. Enjoy!

Drew Hemenger
Composer

There are not many high audio resolution recordings of the Rachmaninoff and Prokofiev Cello & Piano Sonatas. The interpretation by Jones and Doe is superb. The sound is simply amazing.

I first made the acquaintance of Mike Jones when playing with him in the Kammerakademie Neuss when he was principal cellist there. It was an extremely happy coincidence that I chanced upon a preview of his and Henry Wong Doe’s latest recording online.

I was immediately taken by their ensemble playing, which is elastic and breathes beautifully together.
The finished HR Recordings release of the Rachmaninov and Prokofiev Sonatas is an extremely successful addition to the existing canon.

Michael Jones plays with great natural warmth and intensity, with a vibrato often reminiscent of his teacher, Johannes Goritzki. The lines have sweep and expanse and he has full technical command of his very lovely sounding Martin Schleske instrument.

Henry Wong Doe is an attentive partner, very much in synch with Jones, but never deferent. His sound is present and well modulated and the organic interweaving of the two voices is alluring.

The many Romeo and Juliet moments in the Prokofiev have the requisite feeling of suspension and the more acerbic sections are witty and cleanly focused. The Prokofiev is one of my favorite works and Jones’ and Wong Doe’s interpretation has given me a great deal of pleasure.

Congratulations to both performers!

Simon Fordham
Principal Second Violin
Munich Philharmonic Orchestra

Everything I expected from a live album. Guitars were emphaszed more than vocals but that was a nice change after the old subdued studio albums. Clarity was excellent. And it was fascinating to hear some new nuances in the songs. Well improvised but very true to the original. Very entertaining to listen. Terrific selection of hits and some really great songs you sang along but didn't get played often. I am normally not a fan of live albums but this is one I will play often.

A Resonant Collaboration
Cellist Michael Kevin Jones and pianist Henry Wong Doe deliver a captivating performance on their latest HR Recordings release. Jones’s warm, expressive tone and Wong Doe’s nuanced, articulate playing form a deeply responsive partnership. Together, they evoke Rachmaninoff’s sweeping lyricism with passion and sensitivity. In Prokofiev’s Sonata, they illuminate the composer’s sharper modern edges with wit and clarity. Listening to their recording, I was struck by the depth of their collaboration- spontaneous, intimate, and united in conveying each movements’ character.

A wonderful mix between smooth, modern and free Jazz. It brought me a combination of vivid images, a relaxed mind, rising above the pity of the day's problems, and even some encouragement and motivation for a brighter new day.

The album starts with a track bringing you home at twilight hour. Pouring you a drink and handing you an unlit cigar. No, you don't smoke it. Just enjoy the aroma mixing with the taste of the drink.

Then the second track suddenly makes your mind start pondering over unfinished problem from the day. You remember the faces, the words, maybe some small quarrels...and the third settles things with maybe a decision, or the right person to do the job and solve the problem.

You can let the day go now and the fourth track will make it much, much easier as it transitioned unexpectedly to your dreams as you fall asleep in the chair. And then the fifth which will just give you the glorious morning sunrise...

I will stop here. Get it and enjoy!

With a glass of wine you can sit back and relax listening to this wonderful album. The Blue Hour Sessions in Pure DSD 256. I enjoy it :-)

I own all of Rembrandt Frederichs' and friends albums that are available at NativeDSD. Each and every one is highly enjoyable. The recording quality of Blues Hour is excellent. The Steinway Model D that Frederichs plays on this album sounds terrific!

Magic formula. Professional dedicated musicians playing gold standards. A marvelous recording setup all captured in Pure DSD 256 yields a truly transparent audio experience as close to the real thing as it can get.

My favorite part is sound of the Piano on this recording. Great job!

What a wonderful presentation of excellent musicianship. What a masterfully executed preservation in Pure DSD 256 by the technicians!

Very enjoyable standards presented in a very intimate "simple" trio-style way. Music to relax with and to tap your feet to the rhythm. Well done! Simply beautiful...

This musician always plays special music, in a special style. This one is very easy-listening, but again with that special approach. Recording quality is exceptional!

I downloaded this album in DSD 256. Listening with headphones, using a hi-fi portable player and a high-end cable, the sound quality is exceptional. The music is very enjoyable and full of sensitivity.
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J'ai téléchargé cet album en DSD 256. L'écoute sous casque, à partir d'un baladeur hifi et avec un câble haut de gamme, est exceptionnelle de qualité. Une musique très agréable, pleine de sensibilité.

Awesome and really relaxing music!

The music is so beautiful, and the quality is the best! It is basically not limiting you and really transforms you into the performance of the Artists!

Excellent performance, Congratulations to the Artists of the Louisa Amend Quartet for the performance, and to Octave Records for the quality, and anybody who helped with this Album.

👍🎉😀

Intimacy. It’s amazing the emotions the simplest Jazz Trio can evoke. Brushes thwapping drum skins, hammers striking piano strings, bass notes plucked… How am I in the middle? Uncanny, the engineering and musicianship, hand in hand, incredible.

The pieces chosen fit the concept of the album perfectly, and it seems the decay from each instrument’s notes does likewise. Nothing overdone. Simple, beautiful, and with the slightest bit of imagination, tangible.

Just listen. Relax, and listen. I recommend a good scotch, but whatever works for you is fine.

This is the epitome of “Why DSD?” My answer, “Yes.”

Very interesting and beautiful music, sung with great taste. A very mysterious DSD EP,

Listening to this gem again.

Bravo!!!

An outstanding recording in terms of sound. And musically the best Winterreise I have ever heard. A big compliment. For me, the best album of the year.

Such a deep album. Excellent!

This album, magnificent in content and quality, creates an atmosphere for a good mood!
Purchased Format: Pure DSD 256.
Audio System: Chord Poly/Mojo 2 and Audeze LCD-X headphones.

Audiophiles of planet Earth and other planets, this is an Album with cosmic sound quality. I highly recommend it!
Purchased Format: DSD 256.
Audio System: Chord Poly/Mojo 2 and Audeze LCD-X headphones.

A very interesting and positive album for a good mood with excellent sound quality!
Purchased Format: DSD 256.
Audio System: Chord Poly/Mojo 2 and Audeze LCD-X headphones.

Absolutely beautiful, inspiration music. Delivered in a lush, immersive recording. If you do purchase this album and love it, check out the Silent Thread also.

TOP Album! TOP Resolution! TOP Quality!
Purchased Format: PCM WAV 768 kHz/32 bit.
Audio System: Chord Poly/Mojo 2 and Audeze LCD-X headphones.

Amazing sound effects! Joy and pleasure for audiophiles!
Purchased Format: PCM WAV 768 kHz/32 bit.
Audio System: Chord Poly/Mojo 2 and Audeze LCD-X headphones.