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“She's aware of the importance of Chopin's Classical side and there are many instances where she favours restraint over cheap emoting, which is much to the good. There's also a real range of interpretation, which makes the set consistently appealing. One of the most impressive readings here is of the C minor Nocturne, Op 48 No 1, in which an innate solemnity grows to extraordinary depths in Huangci's hands. An impressive addition to the Chopin catalogue from a pianist from whom I'm sure we'll be hearing much more.”

“The music gets under your skin, and that is equally true for the Chinese-American pianist Claire Huangci, who has recorded all 21 nocturnes. Are they too unvaried a sequence? No, because of the deftness and variety that Chopin creates within the form. Huangci has a lovely, warm sound and in some pieces, like the F sharp major, integrates all the incredible filigree to beautiful effect.”

“It is a thoroughly worthwhile complete recording that the American pianist Claire Huangci presents with this album. Her playing is very poetic, yet never sinks into pure reverie; instead she keeps the miniatures alive with great imagination of shaping, without overstepping the bounds of a natural delivery. This is no dreamy quasi-improvising, no playful salon music, no affect-obsessed accentuation, but an extremely clear, pure rendering that has gravitas, is meaningful and addresses the listener directly.”

“Huangci presents a beautifully sounding, melodious recording. She plays everything 'correctly'. But with regard to a true interpretation of the score she is too cautious. Music 4/5, Sound 4/5.”

“With Claire Huangci, musical time does not melt away or become arbitrary, but takes shape in an intense state of wakefulness: her touch is delicate and yet distinct. Sensitively, Claire Huangci follows the poetry of this cycle by attending to the polyphony in a differentiated way. Irresistibly and yet attentively, Claire Huangci lets herself be taken in by the magic of Chopin's music.”

“More than worth hearing! For in contrast to Rubinstein and Pollini, Claire Huangci celebrates almost exclusively the infinitely many degrees and nuances of passion in this music. With all the consistently maintained serenity of soul, she knows exactly how to distinguish between naturalness of expression and sentimental yearning and suffering. With her, mere hints are enough to clarify the reverse side of these supposed salon pieces.”

“Does one still need a recording of Chopin's Nocturnes? Actually no! But anyone who hears the brand-new double CD by Claire Huangci will then say: yes! For the young pianist always finds new colours and sonorities for the richness and variety of this music. She does not strain the necessary freedoms of tempo too far, never becomes sentimental, does not forget the harmonic relationships, and does not lose herself in mannerisms. Rather, she phrases and models Chopin's melos with delicate refinement in a fine, natural flow.”

“Played as clearly, unsentimentally and naturally as by the American Claire Huangci, Chopin's famous E-flat major Nocturne sounds as if newly invented. By now she is a mature musician with a very broad palette of expression. Claire Huangci does not fall into the kitsch trap and plays very emotionally, but without being mawkish. Her recording offers a quite distinctive view and is, in its lyrical and serious basic attitude, absolutely worth hearing.”

“At 27, the American attacks Chopin with passion. The young pianist faces fierce competition from the legendary Claudio Arrau and Alfred Cortot, and from the lyricism of Nikita Magaloff, not to mention Arthur Rubinstein and others. Claire Huangci raises the challenge brilliantly and offers a clear and very personal vision of these works.”

“The fresh, occasionally brisk tempo with which Claire Huangci lays out her nevertheless tender, extraordinarily sensitive interpretation suits the Nocturnes exceptionally well. Cultivated, with the finest accents, poetic touch and full of soul, the Nocturnes in her hands are a clear expression of the pianist's understanding of the composer. Chopin, hailed as a 'wonderchild', meets here an interpreter who, in her 27th year, not only re-creates his ingenious romantic Nocturnes but palpably feels them through with him in a kindred spirit.”

“Claire Huangci has an enviable technique that allows her to express character in these pieces without resorting to over-statement. Her playing is poised and refined, and her sensitivity to the broader sweep of Chopin's writing makes this a genuinely engaging traversal of the complete Nocturnes.”