“… He [Ehnes] rises to all the challenges and there are passages that shine like jewels. It’s easy to see why this performance [Violin Concerto] was short-listed for a Juno. Gardner also leads the orchestra in a magnificent performance of Nielsen’s Symphony No.4 “The Inextinguishable” …”

“… Violinist James Ehnes tells the story of the music well …”

Sound: 9.5 – Libretto: 8.5 – Repertoire: 8-9 – Interpretation: 9 (symphony) to 10 (concerto)

“…an engaging portrait of Nielsen …”

“… This epic work has proved a real tour de force for Gardner and the Bergen Philharmonic …” ****

“…These are fresh, invigorating performances by the Bergen Philharmonic under Edward Gardner with James Ehnes as soloist in the Violin Concerto… I could easily live with these performances of the symphony and concerto.  They are rarely coupled on disc and make for an attractive programme. ..”

“… James Ehnes – that most elegant and unflashy of players – seems to relish all that is unexpected about the piece … Edward Gardner and the Bergen Philharmonic give it real backbone and play like its greatest champions. They are splendid, too, in the elemental Fourth Symphony …”

“Another success story from this inspired partnership.”

“… As an ensemble, they have developed a very high technical level that shows no weaknesses. Brilliance, precision and sound culture combine to create an eminently vivid picture that allows the music to blossom…” *****

“… Recommended …”

Performance ****½      Sonics (Multichannel) *****

“… . This concerto is a much underrated piece due partly to its considerable technical challenges for even the finest of violinists. From the first bars of the dramatic opening ‘Praeludium’ it is clear that this is to be an electrifying account of the score from both orchestra and soloist. Ehnes’s consummate technique and absolute command of the solo part makes light work of the concerto’s hurdles …”

“… Edward Gardner conducts the superbly-balanced and recorded Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra in a monumental account of the early Great War-era Fourth Symphony (Op. 29) … The recording team … seem to have captured their music and orchestra at a moment of sublime oneness, in which everything was right: spirit, collective instinct for this Nordic score, commitment of one of Scandinavia’s first-class and most adventurous orchestras. In the acoustic of the Grieghallen, Bergen, nothing is missed: the microphones sucking in every nuance, but with plenty of ‘force’ and warmth to the overall tone…”