02-11-2018 Fanfare
"With Challenge Classics’ spectacular recorded sound, this rounds out what may well be the most completely satisfying Prokofiev symphony cycle on the market today."
29-06-2018 Classical.net
"The sound reproduction by Challenge Classics is excellent and the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra plays at or nearly at world class level for the conductor."
21-03-2018 Stretto
"Warm appealing alternates with violent brutality. Quite, quite an achievement. Highly recommended."
07-03-2018 HRAudio
"The sound quality is beyond reproach, bringing out detail and pure definition. Taking sound, sense and soul together, and without denying virtues and accolades to others, this set is, now completed, for me the one to have."
24-11-2017 Fanfare Magazine
"For decades, reviewers have been suggesting that this or that violinist (beginning with Perlman) had somehow surpassed Oistrakh's accomplishment; many listeners will now, I believe, judge that Lamsma finally has. Overwhelming."
04-08-2017 Klassieke Zaken
"The Radio Philharmonic Orchestra is in excellent shape under the guidance of regular guest conductor James Gaffigan"
01-07-2017 Luister Magazine
"Even if you already own the First and Fifth Symphony, this album (third in the serie) is worth buying. This is definetly on the same level as its competitors."
15-06-2017 Pizzicato
"James Gaffigan’s Classical is humorous and absolutely charming. And in the totally different context of the Fifth Symphony, he detects similar moods. The Netherlands Radio Orchestra is brilliant, and the Challenge Classics sound recording very transparent.
"
28-04-2017 HRAudio
"The sound. Over the past decade I have been reviewing discs with varying sound quality. It is rare to get such a consistently high sound quality as with those released by Challenge Classics."
14-04-2017 De Volkskrant
"The coloration to a pale and small tone in the heart of the first movement is oppressive. The Scherzo is demonic, the following Passacaglia is especially powerful, and the cadenza that forms the bridge to the Finale, is almost a composition in itself."
14-04-2017 Luister
"I hope the music on this disc will speak to people and will move them in some way. All I can do is bring out what is inside of me, and with that choose the music that I feel is worthy of being heard. I want to share that passion."
10-03-2017 Opus Klassiek
"....I wholeheartedly agree with Jaap van Zweden, whom I’ve heard mention Simone Lamsma as the greatest violinist of our time ....
"
22-03-2016 Het Parool
""Prokofiev shows that even with simple resources you can reach great sophistication.""
04-01-2016 De Telegraaf
"[...] Notes of wonder that, without diversions, are speaking to the heart. The Radio Philharmonic, the mezzo Karin Strobos and Erik Bosgraaf, who plays the recorder, all give the best. So, a lot. [...]"
04-01-2016 Pizzicato
""The tension created which the orchestra directed by Markus Stenz and the soloist produce, is electrifying." "
21-10-2015 De Volkskrant
""Listen to how his Third Symphony opens with the allure of a thundering steel factory, slowing down to a feeble whale, to culminate within a minute in a flowing melody, where all kinds of things are ripple around.""
09-10-2015 HR-Audio
"["]..To sum up: We have here two symphonies played in such a way that it sheds new light on Prokofiev’s symphonic output, deserving all our attention. The recording, for which Northstar and Bert van der Wolf may take all the credit, is extraordinary.""
01-10-2015 Klassieke Zaken
"[''] .. Gaffigan has what it takes: overview and keen insight into the music score, prevalence and of course a fantastic orchestra whose players, both individually or together. The bring the best out of the music.""
24-09-2015 Het Parool
""[…] a briljant soundadventure. Gaffigan shows himself as the ideal guide, not lightly helped out by a great performing Radio Philharmonic Orchestra.""
01-08-2015 GRAMOPHONE
"['']...With warm and clear sound on both CD and SCAD layers, it is difficult to think of a finer version of the First Symphony in the catalogue...['']"
01-07-2015 GRAMOPHONE
"['']...The virtuoso organ part, demanding much from the instrument itself (a huge sustained cluster in chapter 23 takes dangerous risks with wind supply), dovetails splendidly with an orchestra which, while described as 'modest' in size, nevertheless packs a powerfull punch with some fabulously full-blooded and scintillating playing...['']"
25-04-2015 THEARTSDESK.COM
"["].. Markus Stenz and his superb Netherlands Radio Philharmonic relish the dense orchestral writing, wilst never obliterating the vocals.""
18-04-2015 The Independent
"['']...The instrument's power contrasts sharply with another of MacMillan's innovations, in which the part of Christ, usually taken by a low male soloist, is sung instead by a children's choir, a deliberate ploy to convey Christ's innocence...['']"
12-04-2015 The Observer
"['']...MacMillan's singular, potent mix of tradition and novelty has earned its following...['']"
31-03-2015 SR Weltmusik
""A contemporary work that illuminates the different facets of the passion with a subtle and expressive sound design.""
27-02-2015 Neue Zürcher Zeitung
"Under the grasping and cautious direction of Markus Stenz, the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic makes music audible that artistically shimmers between neoclassicism and moderne, jazz and dadaism."
01-02-2015 Music Web International
"['']...For major Wagner fans, this is an important release: the symphony's a rarity, and the Nachtgesang arrangement really is wonderful...['']"
06-01-2015 concertonet.com
"Taken at a good rhythm, the Scherzo is very well played, acting as beautiful transition with the last movement which, not to be precipitated, is nevertheless conducted with impetus by a Jaap van Zweden who, undoubtedly, asserts himself as a an excellent “brucknerien” (Bruckner player)"
05-01-2015 Opushd.net
"The inspired direction of Markus Stenz adds to the success of this recording, which the Dutch orchestra truly transcends with undeniable engagement. In a superlative sound recording, this double SACD is quite simply a must-have."
05-01-2015 L'avant-Scène Opéra
"This music where relay at a sustained pace, besides those already evoked, the references to Mahler, Berg (through a choral by Bach), Schönberg (the spoken chorus) " O lauf ") and Eisler ( the military marches), is not nevertheless reducible to its eclecticism and testifies of an undeniable personality. We shall enjoy an energy, a sense of the scenic rhythm and an orchestral brilliance which seizes Markus Stenz and the orchestra of Dutch radio to deliver here a compelling performance."
01-12-2014 L'Avant-Scène Opéra
"We shall enjoy a concentrated energy, a sense of the scenic rhythm and an orchestral brilliance which seizes Markus Stenz and the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra to deliver here an enthusiastic performance."
01-12-2014 Grammophone
"EDITOR'S CHOICE (December 2014)
A powerful piece, given an astonishing sense of drama and force by Markus Stenz, the rich orchestral playing every bit as vivid as singing."
01-12-2014 BBC Music Magazine
"Leading strong cast, Juliane Banse as the shepherd brilliantly meets the soprano part's technical challenges while evoking the naivety of the idealistic character. Ashley Holland, as the mercenary, Landsknecht, uses his baritone to impressive effect, and the tenor Will Hartmann captures the visionary spirit of the hermit Einsiedel. Conducting the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Forces, Markus Stenz proves himself an ideal exponent of this music, drawing a performance of convinction and intensity."
Simon van Boxtel
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