“…A lovely disc, with an energised Iceland Symphony Orchestra sounding thoroughly Gallic under Yan Pascal Tortelier’s baton. Superb sonics too.”

Album of the Week

“… delivered with delicious brio by Tortelier and his virtuosic Icelanders. Superb Chandos engineering, as ever.”

***** (Essential Album)

“The two symphonies of Charles Gounod unjustifiably stand in the shadow of the great works of the genre. Thanks to Yan Pascal Tortelier and the Iceland Symphony Orchestra we have now the opportunity to hear these excellent symphonies in committed and gripping performances.”  *****

Recommended

“… a very desirable recording, one which I cannot recommend highly enough.”

Editor’s Choice – Orchestral

“’... he [Tortelier] brings wit and charm to this delightful pair of works…”

“… Tortelier doesn’t disappoint in this recording and generally moves through the bars at a sprightly pace. The Iceland Symphony Orchestra respond with warmth and vitality; the clearly defined wind sections and rich bass nicely enhancing the depth of Gounod’s score…”

Performance *****    Recording *****

“… The deliciously vivacious First Symphony in D always seems to bring out the best in its interpreters, and here Tortelier obtains a smiling quality from his Icelandic players, who phrase everything with an affectionate warmth that is irresistible. Yet it is the Second Symphony which emerges here as arguably the stronger work, its sparkling vim and vitality, prefaced by a memorable Adagio introduction, caught resplendently in atmospheric yet impactful and detailed Chandos sound.”

“… He was [Gounod] very accomplished with orchestra alone as these Symphonies (both from the mid-1850s) handsomely demonstrate. They are so delightful (and he left a Third unfinished); Yan Pascal Tortelier and the Iceland Symphony Orchestra make sunny weather of them. It would be all-too-easy to become samey in describing the eight movements. Suffice to say each is a gem – joyous, charming, lyrical and witty, the latter quality cueing some Rossini-like ribaldry… The playing is of sensitivity, élan and enjoyment, and Tortelier knows just how this music goes, and is aided and abetted by Brian Pidgeon (producer) and Jonathan Cooper (engineer) for an end-result that is going to be played often and with much pleasure.    *****