“…Irresistible, all the colour, sexy glamour and excitement one could wish for…great fun. And delivered in first class Chandos engineered Super Audio sound.”

“… Sakari Oramo has the full measure of the complexities of this work [Sym No. 2] and both he and the BBC Symphony Orchestra meet its technical challenges with ease. Once again the superb Chandos recording does full justice to Oramo’s masterly and sympathetic reading of Schmitt’s rewarding composition. Thanks both to the sonic benefits of multi-channel SACD and the quality of the performances, this release is a major addition the discography of this unduly neglected composer and can be unreservedly recommended.”

“… The recording can only be described as sumptuous, with this intricately scored music revealed in great detail without any hint of dryness in the acoustic. Not for nothing are Chandos renowned for their recording skills, and under the baton of their Chief Conductor, the orchestra play with the virtuosity necessary for the listener to be able to luxuriate in Schmitt’s orchestration…”

Performance ****          Recording *****

“… For the Symphony in particular, this splendidly recorded disc is worth investigating, especially if you know little or none of Schmitt’s music already.”

“… he’s [Oramo] is convincing and persuasive in this work [Symphony No. 2] too, and helped by superior playing and engineering – advantages that certainly pay dividends in these scores. Recommended.”

“Beautifully recorded, this is a terrific introduction to the music of Florent Schmitt (1870-1958), presented in demonstration-standard SACD sound… A superb release.” *****

"... music-lovers will be entranced by these colourful and fascinating scores, which are, moreover, supremely well-played and recorded, Sakari Oramo proving himself yet again a master-conductor in obtaining such outstanding playing."   *****