“The orchestration is meticulous; de Hartmann skillfully showcases the different sections of the instrumentation, and his vocal performances are carefully highlighted…The great achievement of this set is the conducting of Ukrainian Kirill Karabits (born 1976), which is brilliant, attentive to all the nuances of the action and the politico-religious nobility of the subject matter.” Jean Lacroix July 13 2026  

“Under the expert direction of Kirill Karabits, the full majesty of Racine’s theatre is restored by the Ukrainian Thomas de Hartmann…let us thank Pentatone for allowing us to listen to this music which, … evokes Honegger, Prokofiev, ….Yuriy Yurchuk is a majestic Ahasuerus. In the title role, Corinne Winters displays a powerful dramatic voice, with dark tones, and lends the queen all the appropriate modesty and majesty.” Laurent Bury July 7 2026 

“Pentatone’s laudable commitment to rescuing contemporary works from oblivion materializes once again in this recording… It continues the project of recovering the compositions of this peerless twentieth-century creator …recognized as the composer of a body of piano and vocal music of enormous sensitivity and great spiritual dimension. Precisely this comes through in listening to Esther, which the conductor Kirill Karabits has taken it upon himself to study in detail in order to offer a highly nuanced reading of great theatrical power…”  Pedro Coco July 2026 

“…This world-premiere recording displays the de Hartmann opera’s strengths, notably the lyrical vocal writing,.. it’s a treat to be able to hear this valuable work in its entirety, and it’s performed superbly by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra under conductor Kirill Karabits and sung beautifully by a top cast led by American soprano Corinne Winters as Esther.” Kevin Filipski June 3 2026 

“…Echoes of Debussy, Stravinsky, Mussorgsky, and Messiaen are all audible….Each act opens with a temple scene, giving de Hartmann the opportunity to combine the gravity of religious ritual with the anguish of a people in crisis. The chorus that opens Act I, with its thick, alluring dissonances and sweeping parallel motion, brings to mind Messiaen and signals the inventive nature of this score…This is a fine recording of a rarely performed operatic gem.”  Jane Harrison July 2026

“The performance is masterminded brilliantly by conductor Kirill Karabits… The score is replete with interesting colours and instrumental combinations, relished by the BSO, and its changing styles and moods – whether brooding, serene, noble or triumphant – all come across vividly… De Hartmann uses choruses to wonderful effect, whether evoking the fragile beauty and stirring song of the Daughters of Zion or the final triumphant outburst for the opera’s happy ending. It’s a recording well worth spending time with.” Rebecca Frank, June 12, 2026

“…The audio-only production is nothing if not a labor of love…this is a suitably gorgeous realization.” David Gutman June 2026

“Esther is a truly wonderful discovery…. Its unique tone blends the dramatic intensity of opera with its contemplative dimension, drawing inspiration from Korngold, Strauss, and Ravel… Drawing on her Ukrainian Jewish heritage, she [Corinne Winters] brought all her talent to bear in embodying the formidable role of the Persian Jewish Queen.” N.B. May 2026

“…This recording rescues an unjustly forgotten opera and vindicates Thomas de Hartmann as a composer of great personality. Esther surprises with its dramatic force and musical writing that, without renouncing tradition, finds its own captivating voice. An essential discovery for lovers of twentieth-century opera.” Carme Miró May 29 2026

“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