“A superbly played conclusion to an enterprising series… Superbly recorded in Birmingham’s Town Hall, in an acoustic that fits this music like a tailored glove.”   ****

“… The playing throughout this disc is exemplary. I like Gardner’s choice of slightly faster tempos as it gives a real sense of drive and momentum throughout. The CBSO is on wonderful form, with Gardner bringing out the very best from the orchestra. The recorded sound on the hybrid SACD is up to Chandos’ usual high standard … the booklet notes are excellent … So, an excellent disc of Mendelssohn’s overtures, to which I will often return.”

Performance ****      Recording *****

“… the most striking feature of these performances is their remarkable clarity of texture which even in the more forceful passages enables us to hear every strand of Mendelssohn’s incredibly resourceful orchestration. Indeed there’s a fluidity and vividness to Gardner’s interpretations which is fully supported by the superbly responsive playing from the CBSO…”

“…The CBSO’s warm quality is enhanced by the sympathetic acoustic of Birmingham Town Hall and does Mendelssohn’s music full justice.” ****

“… Gardner is often keenly alert to both the emotional tone and innovations in sonority and structure of each work. Meeresstille und glückliche Fahrt is particularly fine … The CBSO … are superbly responsive throughout, playing with a combination of great brio and scrupulous attention to detail… The Chandos recording is warm, spacious and carefully balanced. It’s an excellent conclusion to a very fine series.”

“… As a general rule, Gardner is an energetic Mendelssohn conductor. His tempos snap. Textures are lean. The CBSO plays with spiffy tone. Suffice it to say, you won’t be falling asleep to these overtures. Gardner makes particularly lively work of both the “Trumpet” Overture and Ruy Blas. The latter seems too often to be the victim of dragging tempos … here it really kicks a la Bernstein (but with better recorded sound and woodwind/brass intonation throughout the introduction)… his [Gardner] accounts of Paulus and Athalieare most welcome … the CBSO plays them both with might and intensity. Throughout, Chandos’ engineering is excellent: bright-toned and naturally balanced. For Mendelssohn fans – and lovers of good, 19^th-century overtures – this is a welcome disc.”