“… Superb playing and superb engineering – one of the year’s best orchestral discs.”

“… This is a major accomplishment, another engaging act of musical archaeology from a very smart musician. It’s superbly performed and warmly recorded too, and will hopefully prompt you to listen to Haydn's originals with fresh ears.”

Performance *****      Sonics (Multichannel) ****½

“…Wilson’s performance is characterised by swift, forward moving tempi in all four movements of the work that eschews any trace of a stodginess or glutinous sentimentality. The result is a much tougher and sinewy account of the score than is to be found in rival versions … The playing of the orchestra is clean, lean and superbly disciplined throughout… a most stimulating release.”

“… Ticciati leads the Berlin orchestra in an accompaniment of bristling vitality in the Beethoven: theirs is playing that matches Teztlaff’s wonderfully in energy and color. In the Sibelius, the ensemble delivers a performance of terrific textural clarity, as well as expressive force. Ondine’s sonics are, as usual, excellent. In all, this is a great album: one that treats that standard of the canon with the freshness and thoughtfulness it both deserves and requires.”

“…This performance by the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by Sakari Oramo, is impressively rousing when its blood is up. The recording also captures Smyth and her musical army on the march in splendid sound.” ****

Editor’s Choice

“Prepare to be surprised by the finesse and fluidity on display in three choice works” ****

Recording of the Week

“… it’s [Mass in D] a magnificent, uplifting work that, while far too large for liturgical use, deserves to become a regular of the concert-hall and choral-society repertoire. An exhilarating musical experience, not soon to be forgotten.”

“… this new version on Chandos from the Bergen Philharmonic, with Michelle De Young (heavy on vibrato but thrilling and expressive) and John Relyea (urgent, resonant, outstanding), conducted by Edward Gardner, a keen Bartók interpreter, is a deserving addition. The Bergen players capture all the score’s chill and terror, the glitter of the treasury, the dazzling magnificence of Bluebeard’s kingdom, the chirruping horror and sighs before the lake of tears; an agonising, vivid account.”

“This is Brahms interpretation in excelsis. Gardner seems to me to have judged every tempo right, and to combine the powerful momentum and flexibility that Brahms demands with passionate attention to detail… Under his inspirational guidance, the Bergen Philharmonic players give their all.”

“Here we are in for a treat… it [Sym. No. 92] is a wonderful mature work. Right at the outset we are struck by the pianist’s enthusiastic and joyful approach, a feeling of discovery, grasping the essence of Haydn and his sense of humour. With immaculate, highly precise pianism he emphasizes the clear melodic line and delves fearlessly with his strong left hand into the complex architecture of the contrapuntal middle part. By this time the piano literally sings, and how charming that little closing subject sounds!...

“… Captivating and colourful.”  ****

“The admirable agility of soloist Claude Delangle makes the Rhapsodie our orchestra et saxophone the highlight here. There’s polished playing throughout …” ****

“… Thoroughly enjoyable.” ****

“A captivating disc of works by Danish composer in stellar recorded sound. Layer upon layer of hypnotic sounds wash over you, with a powerful ghostlike quality in the standout title work.” ****

“The title alone should give an idea of these tone poems’ distinctively Middle-Eastern modal soundworld. Rahbari’s music is dramatic and eerily haunting …” ***

“… In a superb live recording, Don Quixote is full of drama. Powerful stuff.” ****