Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra, BB 123, Sz.116

“As a document of otherwise ephemeral events, this rendition is a marvellous, if occasionally flawed, ride.” BBC Music Magazine, February 2008 ***

“Best by far, at least to my ears, is a sleek, linear account of the Daphnis et Chloé Second Suite, the "Dawn" crescendo nicely broadened at its crest, the "pantomime" gently played and the final dance exciting but not excessively driven.” Gramophone Magazine, February 2008

"The Philadelphia's triumphal return…after ten years in the recording wilderness, America's legendary orchestra is back in formidable form under its music director [Christoph Eschenbach] who brilliantly realises a powerful programme." (BBC Music Magazine, Disc of the Month)

“Eschenbach opens with Martinů's Memorial to Lidice… this performance serves to intensify an overriding feeling of despair, the Philadelphians responding with a chilling incisiveness particularly in the deathly bitonal chords that appear at the beginning and end of the work. Gideon Klein's Partita is a highly effective string orchestral transcription of a Trio written in Terezín some months before this talented composer was deported to Auschwitz. Within this... context Bartók's Concerto... emerges as a much darker and more disturbing work. Once... Eschenbach emphasises these resonances by taking his time in the slow introduction to the first movement and thereby building up a much greater head of steam in the exciting accelerando to the Allegro Vivace.” BBC Music Magazine, January 2006 *****

“A self-recommending collection of Solti's digital recordings which has special individuality and distinction. Solti had a great and natural affinity with Bartok...the extra warmth of the music-making brings out the lyrical qualities of the music. The Concerto for Orchestra has great zest and bold colouring” Penguin Guide, 2011 edition