Diapason d’Or

Sound: 4.5/5      SACD Sound: 5/5

'Echo Klassik'

Nominee for Best Orchestral Performance Award 2017

“... The sound quality of this Chandos release is truly outstanding in every regard: balance, depth and detail are state-of-the-art, enabling us to appreciate the music and Neeme Järvi’s interpretations... the music is well worth having in one’s collection, and enhances the listener’s experience of this exceptionally gifted and most admirable composer...”  *****

"... Much to relish, splendid playing and recording... a winner!"

*** (Good Disc)      ****(Exceptional Sound)

Performance ****       Recording *****

“... packed disc worth investigating.”

“... A terrific, life-enhancing album – Järvi’s tempi make this entertaining music sing, and the Suisse Romande’s playing is pin-sharp. Handsomely recorded too.”

Orchestral Choice

“... [Escales] gets one of its finest performances on disc, superbly nuanced, and quite exquisitely played. It’s the rest of the CD, though, that makes it special... the disc allows Järvi to show off his Swiss orchestra to perfection. Very fine.”

"... Not only is it a tantalising programme, at more than 80 minutes’ playing time it’s also a very generous one... seriously good sonics."

Performance:  ****½               Sonics: *****

“... The OSR perform each of these works with their customary refinement and élan... Ibert’s kaleidoscopic orchestration deserves the finest recorded sound and it definitely receives it here. Ralph Couzen’s engineering has yielded a beautifully open and spacious recording with a wide dynamic range and excellent balances that does full justice to the scintillating orchestral playing and the fine acoustic of the Victoria hall, Geneva.  Informative liner notes from Roger Nichols and a very generous playing time of 82.15 make this delectable disc a winner.”