Interpretation *****      Sound *****      Repertoire ****

“Nazareno is bright, often joyous, and easy on the ears. That ought to count for something…the performance, featuring duo-pianists Katia and Marielle Labèque (for whom Grau crafted Nazareno), is vigorous and Sir Simon Rattle draws conspicuously responsive playing from the LSO…Rattle’s take on the Stravinsky is dry and droll, ably capturing the music’s sense of wit and whimsy…”

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

“… Nazareno’ heard here is in six short movements, lasting a total of 25 minutes. Its energising Latin American rhythms, attractive melodies and extensive use of percussion (played here by Gonzalo Grau (the arranger), Raphaël Séguinier and three members of the LSO’s own percussion section) make it something of a show piece relished by all the performers and the sound is spectacular… In the Bernstein ‘Prelude, Fugue and Riffs’ … the clarinet soloist is the orchestra’s brilliant Principal Clarinet, Chris Richards, who displays his considerable virtuosity throughout, but especially in the concluding Riffs section… The sound quality is excellent with great presence thanks partly to the close microphoning that suits the often exuberant and raucous style of much of the music.”

“… Rattle, the LSO and the Labèques give this music all the power, precision and stirring intensity it needs to be unforgettable.” *****