TAS Rated 3/5 Music, 5/5 Sonics in the November 2008 Issue of The Absolute Sound!
A brilliant first collaboration between Reference Recordings and the Kansas City Symphony features the first modern recording of the suite by Sir Arthur Sullivan, and the best performance ever of the Sibelius suites. First audiophile recording by Music Director Michael Stern, son of famed American violinist Isaac Stern. Dynamic high-resolution HDCD recording by multi Grammy nominee “Prof.” Keith Johnson. The Kansas City Symphony has recorded for Naxos, and Michael Stern has recorded for Arabesque, Denon, Hyperion, Naxos, and Sony—including Joshua Bell’s latest release with the St. Martin Academy.
“[The Sullivan] is solid music, strongly in the Mendelssohn vein but with moods all its own—from tender melancholy to mild turmoil. [The Sibelius] is at turns rich, moody, exotic and humorous … its crunchy dissonances and distinctive coloristic textures are effective.” — Kansas City Star
“Conductor Stern leads the excellent Kansas City Orchestra with vigor and commitment … a rewarding disc, featuring superlative performers.” — Fanfare
"Standard-issue digital doesn't get better than this, even without HDCD decoding. A mid-hall sonic perspective manages to provide plenty of detail and impact, with richly textured strings, an airy bloom to woodwinds, robust brasses, and sparkling percussion." - Andrew Quint, The Absolute Sound, November 2008
Musicians:
Kansas City Symphony Orchestra
Michael Stern, conductor
Selections:
Sir Arthur Sullivan
Incidental Music to The Tempest
1. Introduction
2. Act III Prelude
3. Banquet Dance
4. Act IV Overture
5. Dance of Nymphs and Reapers
6. Act V Prelude
7. Postlude
Jean Sibelius
Prelude & Incidental Music to The Tempest
8. Prelude
9-17. Suite #2
18-27. Suite #1
Total playing time, 68:40
A brilliant first collaboration between Reference Recordings and the Kansas City Symphony features the first modern recording of the suite by Sir Arthur Sullivan, and the best performance ever of the Sibelius suites. First audiophile recording by Music Director Michael Stern, son of famed American violinist Isaac Stern. Dynamic high-resolution HDCD recording by multi Grammy nominee “Prof.” Keith Johnson. The Kansas City Symphony has recorded for Naxos, and Michael Stern has recorded for Arabesque, Denon, Hyperion, Naxos, and Sony—including Joshua Bell’s latest release with the St. Martin Academy.
“[The Sullivan] is solid music, strongly in the Mendelssohn vein but with moods all its own—from tender melancholy to mild turmoil. [The Sibelius] is at turns rich, moody, exotic and humorous … its crunchy dissonances and distinctive coloristic textures are effective.” — Kansas City Star
“Conductor Stern leads the excellent Kansas City Orchestra with vigor and commitment … a rewarding disc, featuring superlative performers.” — Fanfare
"Standard-issue digital doesn't get better than this, even without HDCD decoding. A mid-hall sonic perspective manages to provide plenty of detail and impact, with richly textured strings, an airy bloom to woodwinds, robust brasses, and sparkling percussion." - Andrew Quint, The Absolute Sound, November 2008
Musicians:
Kansas City Symphony Orchestra
Michael Stern, conductor
Selections:
Sir Arthur Sullivan
Incidental Music to The Tempest
1. Introduction
2. Act III Prelude
3. Banquet Dance
4. Act IV Overture
5. Dance of Nymphs and Reapers
6. Act V Prelude
7. Postlude
Jean Sibelius
Prelude & Incidental Music to The Tempest
8. Prelude
9-17. Suite #2
18-27. Suite #1
Total playing time, 68:40
