Nominee in Contemporary category

Orchestral Nomination for BBC Music Awards 2019

“… How wonderful to have these penetrating second interpretations of two exquisite works, captured in the most sensually luxurious sound. I’d be hard-pressed to name another recent release which affords greater aural pleasure or more significant nourishment, beginning to end.”

“… [Absolute Jest] offers a genuinely fascinating and compelling essay for string quartet and orchestra that draws to a considerable extent on Beethoven’s instrumental music … The new recording of Naïve and Sentimental easily supersedes the earlier one – much better sound, complete control of the work’s difficulties, greater musical depth…”

**** (Excellent)

“… The playing is very good throughout and, again, the clarity of the recorded sound is top notch. Every line feels present in the overall orchestral arc so there is individuality but also brilliant blend. I was listening only in 2.0 stereo, so I imagine it’s pretty stunning in SACD. This is worthy to set alongside the RSNO’s previous Adams recordings, and is perhaps even more worthwhile because there is so little competition on disc for these two works. Definitely worth exploring.”

“... this coupling of two major orchestral works by John Adams in very well recorded and played performances is one truly attractive release.” *****

“… In every way, this is a worthy addition to the growing John Adams discography.”

Recording of the Month

Performance *****          Recording *****

 

“…The RSNO’s playing captures all the delicacy, grandeur and zing of Adams’s complex score, while the Doric String Quartet brings sumptuous sweetness and laser-like clarity to its solo part… excellent disc…”

“… In all, it’s a great album, smartly programmed and played to the hilt…”