…There is no doubt in my mind that this Kullervo from Segerstam and his team is exceptionally fine and in the first rank of the ever-growing list of recordings. Spano's deeply thought and excellently performed account would also merit a first ranking. But I find Segerstam to have produced the most psychologically realistic Kullervo performance, thanks to the depth of characterisation uncovered by Hakala and Isokoski in the seemingly unpromising and dificult texts of the Kalevala verses. Segerstam comes close to Berglund's powerful first recording from 1970, which allowed many of us to encounter this unforgettable work. The state-of-the art fidelity of Ondine's engineering is a great advantage in itself. While quintessentially Finnish, Ondine's production nevertheless fulfils Sibelius' intent to make this music universal in appeal. Warmly recommended.
…The end of Beethoven’s standardsetting string quartet production and Schumann’s exuberant debut in chamber music wonderfully complement each other. In addition to the Super Audio CD (in 2+2+2-SACD multichannel format) the edition contains a DVD video with a concert version of op. 135 and an exciting conversation between Georg Albrecht Eckle and Peter Gülke. Here more questions about composer, works, and date of composition are answered in inimitable fashion than one would have ever dared to ask. What a rich and vast find for every classical fan!
"…In addition to the Super Audio CD (in 2+2+2-SACD multichannel format) the edition contains a DVD video with a concert version of op. 135 and an exciting conversation between Georg Albrecht Eckle and Peter Gülke. Here more questions about composer, works, and date of composition are answered in inimitable fashion than one would have ever dared to ask. What a rich and vast find for every classical fan!"
…The end of Beethoven’s standardsetting string quartet production and Schumann’s exuberant debut in chamber music wonderfully complement each other. In addition to the Super Audio CD (in 2+2+2-SACD multichannel format) the edition contains a DVD video with a concert version of op. 135 and an exciting conversation between Georg Albrecht Eckle and Peter Gülke. Here more questions about composer, works, and date of composition are answered in inimitable fashion than one would have ever dared to ask. What a rich and vast find for every classical fan!
"…In addition to the Super Audio CD (in 2+2+2-SACD multichannel format) the edition contains a DVD video with a concert version of op. 135 and an exciting conversation between Georg Albrecht Eckle and Peter Gülke. Here more questions about composer, works, and date of composition are answered in inimitable fashion than one would have ever dared to ask. What a rich and vast find for every classical fan!"
"…I've known and loved the Solti/CSO "New World" recording for years; it is now relegated to the re-gifting pile. If you are a Dvorak fan, buy this disc." ~sa-cd.net
"…I've known and loved the Solti/CSO "New World" recording for years; it is now relegated to the re-gifting pile. If you are a Dvorak fan, buy this disc." ~sa-cd.net