" highly recommended.
Ronald E Grames - Fanfare - September/October 2014
"This is a welcome addition by the Ulster Orchestra and JoAnn Falletta to the recording of Moeran’s orchestral rhapsodies this new recording has a vibrancy and precision which is thoroughly beguiling Falletta brings a vivacity and enthusiasm to these works which is infectious."
Jeremy Dibble - Gramophone magazine - April 2014
"Brand new recordings of such immensely appealing repertoire are always welcome, and these zestful, scrupulously prepared performances from the Ulster Orchestra under JoAnn Falletta’s affectionate lead more than hold their own against classic predecessors At its absurdly low price, this excellently engineered Naxos issue is surely not to be missed" ****
Andrew Achenbach - Classical Ear - June 2014
"JoAnn Falletta and the Ulster Orchestra present another appealing program of lavishly bloomy works by the Anglo-Irish composer Ernest John Moeran. This always folkish symphonic music beautifully comes to life in these excellent recordings. A truly pleasant disc! " ****
Remy Franck - Pizzicato magazine - April 2014
"A welcome issue: a well-prepared, nicely played and well-recorded collection of Moeran’s shorter orchestral works—distinctive and supremely well-written music, enhanced by excellent booklet notes by Paul Conway. At this attractive price, this disc is self-evidently recommended." *****
James Palmer - Musical Opinion - April 2014
excellent performances, colourfully and vividly recorded
John Warrack - International Record Review magazine - April 2014
This is gorgeous music, beautifully performed here by the Ulster Orchestra under the direction of JoAnn Falletta, presented in first-rate sound, and available at bargain price. I’ll tell you straight up that you’ll be hard pressed to find all of the works on this current release compiled on the same album.
Albert Lam - MusicWeb-International.com - March 2014
The disc under consideration here contains an Overture, Rhapsodies, and an orchestral work, In the Mountain Country. They are performed by the Ulster Orchestra, JoAnn Falletta conducting, with the addition of pianist Benjamin Frith on the Rhapsody in F sharp major. All the performances and the recording are first rate. They have the Naxos ‘house sound’, which is very smooth and realistic. Instruments are solidly positioned, and the recording has a natural bloom that reflects the wonderful Ulster Hall in Belfast. Fans of Vaughan Williams, John Ireland or Frederick Delius will feel right at home with this music. It’s an extremely repeatable disc, and for most people Moeran will be an undiscovered pleasure Jo Ann Falletta’s work with the orchestra simply can’t be faulted." ****
Mel Martin - Audiophile Audition.com - March 2014
I was bowled over by the sound quality of this disc. The playing by the Ulster Orchestra under JoAnn Falletta is sympathetic and committed. The liner-notes by Paul Conway give the listener all the information that is needed to appreciate these delightful works. Benjamin Frith excels himself in the Third Rhapsody. If someone only wishes to own one version of these works, or wants to discover what they sound like, then this is the best version to go for.
John France - MusicWeb-International.com - March 2014
Artistic Quality 9 Sound Quality 9
If any orchestra can be said to know these works, then it would have to be the Ulster ensemble… JoAnn Falletta does an equally fine job with it, offering spirited and vigorous renditions.. This isn’t music, after all, that offers much opportunity for huge interpretive variation, but that’s just an indication of how directly expressive and unfussy it is With excellent sonics, the result is an extremely enjoyable release that deserves wide circulation.
David Hurwitz - ClassicsToday.com - February 2014
"What Falletta brings to these scores we also heard in the earlier Cello Concerto disc; that is an oxygen-rich, gale-blown vitality. The sound is full-on and splendid, courtesy of Tim Handley and Phil Rowlands. JoAnn Falletta brings real vibrancy to these scores.
Rob Barnett - MusicWeb-International.com - January 2014
This selection of EJ Moeran’s shorter orchestral works makes a pleasant adjunct to Naxos’ Moeran series. JoAnn Falletta directs the Ulster Orchestra with a keen understanding of Moeran’s idiom, the lyric vulnerability as well as the extrovert dynamism" ****
Calum MacDonald - BBC Music Magazine - February 2014
"Benjamin Frith is the pianist on this very Irish-sounding piece. The orchestration is creative and the piano interacts beguilingly with all the instruments and has some very lovely lines on its own, lines that Frith delineates with delicacy. The music is very of its era, showing the influence of Rachmaninoff as well as Irish melodies. Popular in its day, it deserves to be heard more often." ***½
Mary Kunz Goldman - The Buffalo News - February 2014
"Little-known but attractively tuneful Moeran works, idiomatically performed and well recorded and at budget price—what’s not to like here on an album which significantly increased my exposure to the music of a composer whose works I long ago decided was on my wavelength?"
Brian Wilson - MusicWeb-International.com - January 2014
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