“… I’m glad that Ondine is giving Kenins’s music the attention that it deserves. This is a great selection of works that show his compositional range. Great performances and sound all around.”
Nathan Faro – American Record Guide – September/October 2021
“… These well-prepared, deep-feeling performances breathe life rather than simply preserving, which is no less than the music deserves.”
Andrew Mellor – Gramophone magazine – July 2021
“… No 4 is probably the most performed of all the symphonies – and very impressive it is – but No 6 is at least its equal; I have found myself returning to it several times. Keninš’ love of counterpoint, and especially his devotion to the fugues of Bach, are evident throughout the single-movement (but four part) work. There are passages of intense beauty, and a mystical sense pervades much of the piece. The Canzona Sonata is also a work of distinctive beauty, though with some fiery passages. The viola often soars above the string orchestra, and the warmth of the instrument is deeply affecting. Performances are committed and lovely, in clear but suitably warm sound.”
Michael Wilkinson – MusicWeb-International.com – 5 July 2021
“… the Canzona Sonata for viola and string orchestra is simpler [than Symphonies 4 & 6] but still quite demanding of the soloist. The viola's autumnal tone lends a delightfully nostalgic hue to this lovely short piece which – for all its straightforwardness – displays Keninš' hallmarks that one has come to admire in his most substantial works - most remarkably of all, his unforced contrapuntal mastery… impeccable performances in very fine, natural sound by musicians who clearly believe in the music. One can but hope that more is to come soon.”
Hubert Culot – MusicWeb-International.com – 17 June 2021