“The Carpe Diem String Quartet is to be commended for its adventurousness in rescuing these appealing works from neglect. The playing is excellent, unanimous in spirit, homogeneous in tone, with fine give-and-take between leading and supporting.”

—Edith Eisler, Strings Magazine

“The Carpe Diem Quartet brings clear enthusiasm for the music and obvious commitment.”

— Roderic Dunnett, The Strad

“They play magnificently. Beautiful tone, lots of Slavic passion, perfect ensemble — they are living proof that one need not be a part of a national tradition to perform it.”

—Kenneth Keaton, American Record Guide

“Direct comparison shows the American Carpe Diem Quartet to be every bit as closely in touch with the idiom — if anything, they bring rather more emotional weight, never inappropriately applied — and just as well recorded.”

—David Fanning, Gramophone

“This album marks the beginning of a cycle of Taneyev’s quartets, and the first release is auspicious in its quality. Above all, I am impressed by the group’s dark, beautiful tone, which hearkens back to some of the great Soviet quartets of yore.”

—Barry Brenesal, Fanfare

“Carpe Diem is lighter, cleaner, more lyrical, and more rhythmic, an approach that works wonderfully well.”

—James Leonard, All Media Guide

“The Carpe Diem String Quartet plays with firmness and commitment. They can phrase very plaintively.”

—Johnathan Woolf, MusicWeb International

“High spirited and good natured playing… considerable assurance… confident and urgent playing… With assured playing and impressive unity from the Carpe Diem, the disc is a valuable addition to Taneyev’s expanding discography.”

—Michael Cookson, MusicWeb International

“The young Carpe Diem Quartet really sells these pieces. They help persuade me that Taneyev just might be the most underrated composer of the late 19th century.”

—Lawson Taitte, The Dallas Morning News

“The Carpe Diem Quartet plays both works here with exceptional sensitivity and attention to detail.”

—Bob McQuiston, Classical Lost and Found

“Beautiful blend, nice sense of rhythm and solid technical assurance.”

—Atlanta Audio Society, New Classik Reviews

“Carpe Diem's new recording project is a blessing for anyone looking to explore under-served repertoire. The performances are first rate and the recorded sound a fat, rich delight.”

—Christopher Purdy, WOSU-FM Classical 89.7

“The Carpe Diem String Quartet demonstrates a true mastery of the difficult compositions with solid intonation throughout, and performs with a homogenized, warm ensemble sound.”

—Dr. Stefan Drees, Klassik

“These beautifully crafted works are marked by technical assurance at every turn, as well as dramatic inspiration and intense lyricism. The sound is great: absolutely recommended.”

—The Riviera Reviewer

“… Plays with warmth and affection.”

—Robert E. Reilly, Inside Catholic

“This performance was distinctive and well conceived. An unexpected, introverted reading of the first movement of the Shostakovich, with its dark colors, gave way to the nostalgia heard in the second movement, which was played with special care and attention, as if it were something that could be broken easily, and the chemistry between the musicians made this movement unforgettable.”

—Dina Lentsner, Classical Music in Columbus

“It’s obvious from the inventive program that Carpe Diem has committed itself to forging a unique Identity.”

—Mark Striker, Detroit Free Press

“The premiere… played by the sensitive and tightly matched Carpe Diem String Quartet.”

—Tim Smith, The Baltimore Sun

“This was music making at its finest.”

—Lyman Leathers, The Delaware Gazette

“I am pleased to recommend the Carpe Diem String Quartet. The members of the Carpe Diem Quartet are outstanding musicians with terrific excitement, energy, and beauty in their playing. Their performances are consistently engaging and imaginative and they are entirely committed to ‘going the extra mile’ in each moment of their music making. In the five performances for which I engaged the quartet, audiences were overwhelmingly enthusiastic for their presentations and requested they return again and again.”

—Michelle Schumann, Director, The Austin Chamber Music Center

“I would like to convey to all of you, the members of the Carpe Diem String Quartet, my most sincere congratulations for a stellar performance of my fourth String Quartet. It was a wonderful experience: this was quartet playing of the highest caliber, my work receiving a virtually perfect performance. Carpe Diem plays with a keen attention to detail, and with and through that gets to the deepest expressive essence of the music.”

—Gunther Schuller, Composer

“It was a great pleasure for me to work with the members of the Carpe Diem Quartet as they rehearsed my Second String Quartet. They were thoroughly professional in their approach to the piece, so much so that I knew as soon as the rehearsal began that I would receive a stellar performance at the concert. Each member of the ensemble is a consummate artist and it showed in their complete understanding of what I wrote.”

—Donald Harris, Composer