“…Ilya Kaler, an explosive virtuoso, assaults the ears and compels with his sheer fluency.”
—BBC Music
“…a singing, luminous tone like no other violinist I've heard”
—Fanfare
“A rapt purity…superb virtuosity…recorded sound of stunning realism…It’s so beautiful it makes you ache: the playing demands your absolute and complete attention…You will never hear the violin played more perfectly.”
—American Record Guide
“Kaler displays a complete virtuoso arsenal: rhythmic vitality, warmth of tone and sentiment.”
—Los Angeles Times
“Vitkauskaite has established an enviable reputation as an intelligent performer who injects insight into every note and whose phrasing is nigh on perfect… breathtakingly beautiful and it is all you can do not to hear it again immediately… she can voice every emotion and every state inferred from gentle lullaby-like phrasing to volcanic outbursts… extremely satisfying and thrillingly executed...”
—MusicWeb International
“artistry of poetic and observant sensitivity…a musician with a keen ear for colour and structure…vital glowing performances…illuminating and nuanced…Vitkauskaite finds a fine balance between lyricism and buoyancy, applying judicious flexibility to lines while maintaining narrative cohesion.”
—Gramophone
“Vitkauskaite’s performance ... comes alive with scintillating pianism and a kaleidoscope of colors ... a remarkable display of technique and sensitivity .... Ongaku’s impressive recorded sound ... completes the package for this enthusiastically recommended release.”
—Fanfare
“penetrating musical insight and her ability to commune with the composer and her audience in a way that feels conversational...Beyond Vitkauskaite’s playing, which, by all measures, attains the highest degrees of both technical finish and interpretive integrity... ”
—Fanfare
“...major performances worthy of standing with the finest recordings ... Textures are transparent, woodwind detail is always given appropriate focus ... Her playing in both works combines the best elements of boldness and lyricism ... The fact that pianist and conductor have an established musical partnership is an important plus here. There is a strong, sympathetic give-and-take matching inflections and phrase-shaping ... Everything about this disc is praiseworthy. The vivid performances, the warm recorded sounds, and the exceptional program notes all add up to an enthusiastic recommendation.”
—Fanfare