“For all of its ebullience, the Baroque trumpet can often be limited in expressive range. Trills and mordents may deliver zest to the melody. But the usual repertoire rarely calls for the trumpeter to languish in the moment or relay much delicacy beyond pomp and ceremony. Fortunately, Ensemble Sprezzatura and trumpeter Josh Cohen bring together regal flair and expressive grace with Altissima, a recent disc that explores the varied colors and dimensions of the high Baroque trumpet. At once playful, lyrical, and technically brilliant, these performances make an ideal introduction to myriad trumpeting styles through mostly little-heard repertoire.”
“With a program of music, essentially German, from the end of the 17th century to the middle of the 18th century lasting about an hour, this American not only demonstrates his worth but also his physical resistance. Having said this, which alone commands all my respect, the repertoire for solo trumpet is often interesting for the solemn and joyful character that the trumpet imposes with its ringing sound. The golden age of the solo trumpet was precisely that represented by this album which can be defined as a true tribute to the instrument, rather than to the music, valuable but often "minor" recorded. This "Sprezzatura" is an extraordinary recording and an excellent ensemble. Cohen is simply unreachable.”
“The recording is fabulous: it was made in Spencerville Adventist Church, Maryland, USA in January 2020. How wonderful that Cohen et al opt to end with a movement of such beauty as opposed to some virtuoso final flourish - it acts as a reminder of the depth available on this disc in addition to the high-flying antics. Performances are faultless: Cohen is a true master of his instrument, the Ensemble Strzzatura a supremely sensitive yet virtuoso group, expertly led by David Anraham. One of the best trumpet records of recent decades, I would suggest. Don’t miss it!”
“It is an oil painting, represented on page 2 of the booklet, which allows us to see the face of Gottfried Reiche, holding a score. This portrait also preserves the only one of his 122 Abblasen-Stücke that has survived: a bell that was played from the top of the Leipzig market tower where the musician officiated as municipal Stadtpfeifer . It is with this fanfare that this album dedicated to the baroque trumpet begins, of which Josh Cohen is one of today's masters, on his Matt Martin (Norwich Natural Trumpets), based on an original model by Kodisch, c1710. The Sprezzatura ensemble confirms the attentive support it gives to the American virtuoso, whose notes by Peter Watchorn (mentioning interesting reminders on the bill) praise his agility and expressiveness. Captured in an Adventist church in Maryland, this admirable achievement can only support these two qualifiers.”
“This varied programme of Baroque trumpet virtuosity begins with a fanfare attributed to Gottfried Reiche, a Leipzig trumpeter who played for Bach on many occasions. His portrait, painted by EG Haussmann, shows him holding a melody. The fanfare lasts all of 32 seconds. Of considerably greater substance and merit are concertos by Graupner and Telemann, both of whom profusely demonstrated their skill in writing for assorted wind instruments. The D major Concerto by Graupner, for trumpet, strings and continuo, is mainly conventional in its clearly defined opposition between solos and tuttis. The third movement, though, possesses greater originality. It is, however, the Telemann Concerto for trumpet, two oboes and continuo which stands head and shoulders above the remainder of the programme. The oboes not only provide accompaniment to the trumpet, but also maintain a concertante role with extended passages of their own, especially in the concluding Vivace. Most beguiling, perhaps, is the melancholy ‘Siciliano’, where the trumpet is tacet and the oboes weave a heady pastoral web. Among the remaining pieces, a Ciaccona by Austrian composer, Philipp Jakob Rittler for two trumpets and strings, English West Country composer Capel Bond’s Trumpet Concerto in D major, with its concluding Larghetto bringing Handel to mind, and a Sinfonia for trumpet, two horns, violin, oboe, bassoon, timpani and strings by German composer, Johann Samuel Endler broaden a colourful spectrum.”
— Nicholas Anderson, Journalist and Critic, BBC Music Magazine
“Josh Cohen. A professional football player, a writer and a pianist share this name. And then there is the virtuoso trumpeter Josh Cohen with his new album 'Altissima: Works for High Baroque Trumpet'. High time that this Josh appears as the highest search result on Google. Baroque trumpet glory by Telemann and Graupner and underexposed colleagues Weichlein, Finger, Endler and Bond by Cohen and Ensemble Sprezzatura. A radiant CD as a resounding harbinger of spring.”
“Hold on! Bass Mischa Bouvier pumped up the dramatic suspense in his recitative preceding "Trompeta anunciad," then launched into a thrilling tour de force duel with natural trumpet virtuoso Josh Cohen, gloriously encouraged by Valenzuela and the strings. Sending out polished arcs of molten brass—and playing from memory—Cohen stood at the front of stage right while Bouvier declaimed his bold, burnished themes opposite him stage left. If the archangel Gabriel indeed sounds his trumpet on the biblical Day of judgment, it should sound this good.” - Ken Herman
— Bach Collegium San Diego Premieres ‘El Mesías’–Handel’s Beloved Oratorio in Spanish
“The highlight of the evening was the brilliant trumpet playing of Josh Cohen on the "natural" trumpet, whose exceptionally high compass demanded virtuosity that Cohen displayed without visible effort. At the same time he took care not to overpower the other soloists: Susanna Ogata on the violin, Hammer on the oboe and Owen Watkins on the recorder.”
“Baritone Paul Max Tipton displayed his fluent command of challenging fioritura, especially in his signature aria "Grosser Herr, o starker König," where his stylish ornamentation was matched by First Trumpet Josh Cohen's glistening lip trills. But when it came to brilliant soaring phrases, no singer was Cohen's match.” - Ken Herman
— Bach Collegium San Diego’s Stirring J.S. Bach ‘Christmas Oratorio’