“The conductor made an impressive first visit, and the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra played first-class Brahms under Hugh Wolff…”

“The experienced Hugh Wolff built an inspiring relationship with the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra during his first visit… Brahms’ symphony in C minor was in control of the conductor the whole time, the tempos were natural and the balance of the timbre was very well controlled.  Wolff opened the layers of the music by adjusting the timbre to almost classically bright.  The accuracy of the first movement’s timbre, the translucence, the crispness of the design and the rhythmic energy spoke of Brahms’ deep knowledge of Beethoven…”

“The hr-Sinfonieorchester Frankfurt sounded like a different person throughout the evening.  Rarely has the orchestra been so committed and so characteristic of the sound as under the direction of its former Chief Conductor, Hugh Wolff.  A feast.”

“The New Jersey Symphony orchestra dazzled as its former Music Director returned to the podium. Under Wolff’s direction the orchestra was both grand and severe; filling the New Jersey PAC with a big, expansive sound. He led the work into its more gentile, nimble sections, always keeping the tempi firm, and brought things to a close with a true bold, Beethovian bloom.”

“The charismatic Hugh Wolff exudes an aura of experience that comes along with a wink – a combination of enthusiasm and modesty with which he easily wins the orchestra over to his side.”

“Mr. Wolff and his young charges closed the concert with a bang-up performance of Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 6. The Presto finale, with the young players reveling in the thrill of collective virtuosity, was sheer joy.”

“In The Creatures of Prometheus Overture and the Pastoral 6th Symphony, Wolff confirms his individual approach to Beethoven.”

“From the first performance of the complete work in 1935… [Walton Symphony No.1] gained a reputation for being devilishly difficult due to its complex rhythms, intricate textures and taut, constantly evolving themes. Hugh Wolff and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra triumphantly surmounted its challenges with a gripping and inspirational interpretation…. Wolff’s textural clarity unravelled the densely interwoven lines to reveal a wealth of detail… shrewdly combined with expressive freedom and spontaneity… Every time he visits Sydney, Wolff gives performances that stimulate and excite in equal measure. I hope we’ll see him again.”

“Wolff stays always at the heart of the music; it was a pleasure to hear music so ably shaped… Wolff kept a brisk but unobtrusive pace, barely pausing between movements yet never leaving any question where in the piece one was; the longest rest came in the moments before the final coda, and so absolute was his control by then that he held the whole auditorium in suspended silence.”

“[The] gifted and important American conductor…led a splendid program with playing to match by the CSO…Conducting without a score (as he did the Haydn), Wolff found all the complexity in Shostakovich’s score, from the fife-and-drum-like Allegro – a caricature of the victorious Stalin (kudos to piccoloist Joan Voorhees) – to the sorrowful slow movement.”