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BBC MUSIC awards five stars to Esther
Read More: BBC MUSIC awards five stars to Esther“The strong cast catches the intensity and grandeur of the piece. Soprano Corinne Winters is ideal and utterly convincing in the weighty title role…Hartmann’s work has an overwhelming personality, delivered with shattering energy in Pentatone’s world premiere recording. ★★★★★” Ashutosh Khandekar, April 23 2026
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Concerti Magazine awards Esther five stars
Read More: Concerti Magazine awards Esther five stars“”The Ukrainian composer Thomas de Hartmann is among the most dazzling artists of the first half of the 20th century….Corinne Winters, in the title role of the two-hour opera, outshines the otherwise excellent ensemble, who dedicate themselves to their roles with enthusiasm.” Roland H. Dippel April 24, 2026
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The Times picks Esther in its 8 best classical albums in April
Read More: The Times picks Esther in its 8 best classical albums in April“”…when his eclectic music takes wing it really does fly — often into strident rage, but finally into exultation when the happy ending arrives…her [Corinne Winters] zinging top notes are a joy and sharpen the music’s characteristic mix of pain and ecstasy. Her male colleagues give strong support, while Karabits and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra revel in the exotic colours and heightened passions.” Geoff Brown, April 27 2026
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Presto Musicawards “Recording of the Week” to Esther
Read More: Presto Musicawards “Recording of the Week” to Esther“…there’s no doubting her [Corinne Winters] dramatic commitment, or indeed that of anyone involved in this fascinating exhumation: Karabits and Co. have restored a vital missing link in twentieth-century music history, and the end product is worth two hours of anyone’s time.” Katherine Cooper, April 24, 2026
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BBC Radio-3 – Esther named “Recording of the Week”
Read More: BBC Radio-3 – Esther named “Recording of the Week”From the radio transcript: “It’s a remarkable project and a captivating recording I think framing some excellent orchestral playing and as you heard some beautiful choral laments. Corinne Winters masters a hugely challenging role and this feels like an important discovery – a wartime link between late romantic opera and 20th Century modernism.” Andrew McGregor, April 25, 2026
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MusicWeb International review of Esther
Read More: MusicWeb International review of Esther“This is a very fine release indeed, worthy of considerable praise. There is unlikely to be another, and I have no doubt that it does the composer proud. All involved can be very, very satisfied with their achievement.” Jim Westhead, April 15, 2026
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Crescendo Magazine awards its highest honor to “Thomas de Hartmann Rediscovered”
Read More: Crescendo Magazine awards its highest honor to “Thomas de Hartmann Rediscovered”“With the two scores brought together here, we reach the heights of an inspiration that is both internal and passionate. The Violin Concerto , a true masterpiece… This album, to be acquired without delay, is a masterful homage to two concertos which deserve to appear on the bill of many concerts, their symbolic relevance being more in phase with the menacing upheavals of our time.” Jean Lacroix, Nov 8, 2024
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Artalinna- Disc of the day- Review- “Thomas de Hartmann Rediscovered”
Read More: Artalinna- Disc of the day- Review- “Thomas de Hartmann Rediscovered”“Here again, the melodic invention of the solo part, the mastery of orchestral writing – we immediately recognize Hartmann’s sound signature – all indicate a composer of the first order whose two major scores are revealed here by inspired performers.” Jean-Charles Hoffele, Oct 14, 2024
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AllMusic Review (4.5*) of “Thomas de Hartmann Redicovered”
Read More: AllMusic Review (4.5*) of “Thomas de Hartmann Redicovered”“…the violin concerto, Op. 66, is a remarkable work…this music is indeed a major rediscovery of great power.” James Manheim, Oct, 2024
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Limelight (AU) – Editor’s Choice for December
Read More: Limelight (AU) – Editor’s Choice for December“…Superb performances of two immediately attractive works make this release a real find. Thomas de Hartmann deserves a permanent place in the repertoire: this may be the recording to do it.” Phillip Scott, Oct 2, 2024


