"The viola, middle voice of the string family, has had the advocacy of several virtuosic exponents over the past century, from pioneers such as William Primrose and Lionel Tertis in the past, to Lawrence Power and Tabea Zimmermann now. A new generation is coming forward with confidence. Jamaican-American Jordan Bak, already a recipient of many awards, is at the forefront. As the title suggests, his Cantabile: Anthems for Viola, with the British pianist Richard Uttley, emphasises the instrument’s singing qualities. The range of works, from Vaughan Williams to Jonathan Harvey, Augusta Read and Bright Sheng, creates an album of arresting variety. The most substantial works are Arnold Bax’s Sonata, a showcase for the expressive powers of this duo, and Benjamin Britten’s Lachrymae – in which the ghost of the Elizabethan John Dowland hovers"

"We should commend Delphian for its ability to identify future talent and introduce a wealth of rarely recorded music. It’s a label that is not afraid to delve deep into different repertoires and produce brilliant soloists to capture the artistry of their instruments, which is laudable. This disc does just that ... on this release, Jordan Bak demonstrates his various skills and stage presence in captivating performances, whether solo or joined by Richard Uttley on piano. The selected pieces truly reflect the disc's title ... We hear Bak's viola's rich, full tone in the main work, Arnold Bax's rhapsodic sonata, with wonderfully controlled accompaniments from Uttley. The opening has Uttley's fingers tinkling high on the keyboard, before we hear the deep hues of Bak's lower register; both give a striking and impressive account. They convey the drama with an engaging rhythmic energy throughout, although the agitation subsides into an intense and sensitively played end to the final movement. The opener, Jonathan Harvey's Chant, is particularly noteworthy because Bak demonstrates his technical brilliance through his harmonic virtuosity ... The disc ends with Britten's Lacrymae Reflections on a Song of Dowland, and once again, Bak manages to showcase his instrument's timbre and tonal colours. Like so much on this disc, the considered playing with well-phrased lines, distinctive tone and technical brilliance, permeate through an assortment of delightful pieces"