This is a fine memorial to the great Serge Koussevitzky with a series of live recordings that cover most of the ground for which he was famous for. A vital addition to the catalogue is this first recording of Stravinsky’s ‘Ode’ which is a unique occasion, thrillingly preserved for posterity."

"Koussevitzky conducts ‘Don Juan’ with suitable fire and passion The same goes for Bartok’s virtuosic Concerto for Orchestra which blazes along in terrific passion" "The programme concludes with a delightful ‘Oberon’ overture demonstrating Koussevitzky’s credentials in the romantic repertoire."

"The disc is excellently remastered so I won’t hesitate recommending it to any collector who does not have these essential recordings of this legend of the baton. The cover states this as Volume 1 so I am eagerly awaiting further recordings from this source. Gerald Fenech

Interpretation ***** Sound Quality **** Repertoire ***** Booklet **

Midou Grossmann

This is a valuable disc of live Koussevitzky-Boston material with which collectors may already be familiar."

" The world premiere took place with these forces on 1 December 1944 and this preserved performance was given just under a month later. It remains one of Koussevitzky’s most outstanding commissions and the performance enshrines at least something of the frisson that must have been generated at that premiere."

"The performance is, it’s true, subject to aural limitations. The sound is constricted and in this of all scores that’s a decided problem. Nevertheless textually it’s valuable for allowing us to hear a performance that contains Bartók’s original, very abrupt ending. As a performance it has sweep and power – especially in the finale"

"Don Juan isn’t, judged by the stopwatch, that much quicker than many other performances. But it’s the internal rhythms and attacks that distinguish this galvanizing and energetic performance. And it certainly starts as it means to go on, with memorable dynamism and power." " One of the great virtues of a performance such as this – it sounds banal but it remains true – is that wind principals have the freedom and flexibility to phrase within a brisk basic pulse without any sense of disjunction or a feeling of impeded direction. It all sounds wonderfully natural."

"The Stravinsky Ode is a world premiere performance given on 8 October 1943"

"Both notes and programming are first class; transfers too, inherent defects being as noted. This is the first volume in what promises to be a very collectable series from Guild."
Jonathan Woolf

Transfers are clear and bright This is described an the front of the CD booklet as ‘Volume 1 of a live Koussevitzky series – I can’t wait for more