New Vienna Octet, Vienna Wind Soloists - The Decca Recordings

"Try [Schoenberg's Wind Quintet] in a performance by the Vienna Wind Soloists so warm and clear and scrupulous that what may once have passed as complexity becomes variety, and density richness.' Gramophone, December 1977

"If the performance is somewhat less gemütlich than the earlier ones by the Vienna Octet, it is superbly poised and polished, and the recording is sensationally well balanced." Stereo Review, July 1978 (Schubert: Octet - 1976-77 recording)

"The three works are given superlative performances by the Vienna Wind Soloists, who are treated to a recording of comparable quality." Gramophone, December 1978 (Cambini, Danzi, Reicha)

"I have little but praise for the ensemble, balance, careful dynamics and musicality of this group of Vienna Philharmonic players." Gramophone, March 1980 (Françaix, Taffanel)

"The New Vienna Octet on Decca are out-and-out winners, colouring every subsidiary thread yet never leaving you in any doubt as to where your ear really ought to be … the Viennese team do somehow remind you that they come from Schubert-land." Gramophone, September 1980 (Schubert: Octet)

"The new ensemble retains much of [the old Octet's] sweetness and amiability … The key to the new performance is the sense of uninhibited pleasure with which the players pick up their entries. I have never heard the Scherzo's Trio launched with such relish, such generosity of spirit and tone, as it is here." Gramophone, May 1981 (Beethoven: Septet)

"The eloquent soaring clarinet line of the opening phrase immediately sets the seal on what is to be a passionately committed reading throughout … The Weber [Variations] are deliciously played." Gramophone, October 1981 (Brahms: Clarinet Quintet, Weber)

"The golden horn tone, liquid clarinet and sweet but slightly 'slidy' lead violin are all part of that incomparable [Viennese] style." Gramophone, February 1993 (Schubert: Octet - 1991 recording)

"The Vienna Wind Soloists' broad, fluid phrasing and alert musical response contribute to aptly characterised interpretations of both works." Gramophone, March 1995 (Mozart: Wind Serenades K.375 & 388)

"A gloriously warm-hearted and sparking account … straight to the top of the list." Penguin Guide, 1996 (Schubert: Octet - 1991 recording)

"Over the years the Vienna Octet have been justly famous for their recordings of Beethoven's Septet for Decca, and this newest version is no disappointment … The recording is wonderfully warm and real." Penguin Guide, 1996 (Beethoven: Septet - 1991 recording)

"Schiff's music-making here is never less than intelligent and tasteful. He is a sensitive partner in the trios" Fanfare, Nov/Dec 2013 (Brahms Trios)

"This is a splendid release … The Vienna Winds make me realize that other performers simply haven't mastered the technical problems sufficiently to be able to express the composer's intentions. Without robbing these works of any vigor or tartness they reveal a tenderness which makes the experience even richer." Fanfare, Sept/Oct 1978 (Hindemith, Ibert, Janáček, Ligeti)

"The playing is beautiful in tone, very expressive, totally responsive to Schoenberg's elaborate demands. Recorded sound is excellent" Fanfare, Sept/Oct 1982 (Schoenberg)