“Technically, Callus’s playing lacks for nothing. Throughout she exhibits gorgeous tone and flawless rhythm and intonation.”
NEW BACH SUITES CD REVIEW
Christopher Brodersen, Fanfare Magazine
“What I think most listeners will be struck by on putting on this recording of the Bach cellos suites played on viola is the intensity of the playing and the hugeness of the recorded sound. Helen Callus has a beautiful tone, and she plays vigorously and appealingly.”
NEW BACH SUITES CD REVIEW
Michael Ullman, Fanfare Magazine
“The chief reason for the effectiveness of these recordings is Helen Callus’ musicianship. Her intonation is faultless, and her rhythms are rock-solid steady, and yet subtle enough to let the music breathe. There’s a strong sense of narrative in her playing, whatever the tempos, with the kind of well-judged cadence you get in fine acting. I came away from it both humbled and thrilled, and delighted by music’s ability to renew itself and us.”
NEW BACH SUITES CD REVIEW
Martin Anderson, Fanfare Magazine
“These are top drawer recordings in every way’. Callus’ playing should be considered exhibit A for anyone with remaining doubts about the viola’s ability to stand alongside the other strings as a viable solo instrument. This is among the very best of recordings of the suites on any instrument, and considering the overwhelming number of competitors, this is high praise indeed.”
NEW BACH SUITES CD REVIEW
Michael Cameron, Fanfare Magazine
“Helen Callus is a first-rate soloist, skittishly virtuosic when the score requires it of her but more often tapping the elusive vein of understated melancholy that gives these works their subtle poetry.”
NEW GORDON JACOB CD REVIEW
Martin Anderson, Fanfare Magazine
“In all four work Helen Callus shows herself to be one of the foremost violists of her generation. Her effortlessly expressive playing is abely abetted by the versatile BBC Concert Orchestra under Stephen Bell.”
NEW GORDON JACOB CD REVIEW
Paul A Snook, Fanfare Magazine
