Brahms: Symphony No. 3 in F major, Op. 90 - SACD

“This is a fine example of what you might call 'modern-traditional' Brahms. The orchestral sound is rich and deep-layered, the tempos, if nt quite leisurely, still allow plenty of time to luxuriate in Brahms's long melodies...Not only has Jansons a firm sense of how Brahms's long phrases rise and fall, both minutely and as grand spans, he has a keen ear for Brahmsian polyphony.” BBC Music Magazine, June 2011 ****

“[Jansons] sceptics should turn to this new version to hear how close an affinity he has with this difficult piece. What may appear to be refined restraint in the articulation of the first movement's F-A-F pays off in a superbly calibrated account of the finale...[which] has a huge rustic energy...These are big performances in every sense of the word.” Gramophone Magazine, June 2011

“there is...a genuine feeling of where the music is going, and why. For a live account, this is impressive; it may not be the greatet Brahms Third ever put on a record but it remains a fine one throughout, and the recording quality is first-rate.” International Record Review, July 2011

“Marek Janowski's Brahms is refreshingly balanced and free of eccentricities.” BBC Music Magazine, March 2008 ***

“This is music (Symphony No. 3) that refuses to bow to convention and play to the gallery – even to the extent of having all four movements end quietly! It’s notoriously difficult to bring off this work convincingly, yet by negotiating the music’s dramatic contours with complete naturalness, Janowski and his fabulous Pittsburghers create the impression of profound ease and inevitability.” Classic FM Magazine, May 2008 *****

“this proves a release of distinctive character and many rewards...Although Manze has come from the 'period performance' movement, there is absolutely nothing pedantic in the readings he secures from his modern-instrument players...There are many instances of fresh thinking in his approach - and of fresh feeling.” BBC Music Magazine, July 2012 ****

“With swift, flowing tempi and minimal vibrato, Manze's Brahms is lithe, clear and bold. His pulse within movements will be too flexible for some tastes, but much is organic-sounding and he is generally convincing.” Classical Music, 5th May 2012 ***

“These Brahms performances...suggest that Manze has brought an added subtlety and beauty to the orchestra's string-playing...The Haydn Variations and the Academic Festival Overture are both finely done. Elsewhere what we have is work in progress, not only for the orchestra...but also for Manze himself. Awash with insights and excitements though his readings are, he has yet to bring these within the fold of a settled vision.” Gramophone Magazine, July 2012

“Manze’s performances are quite outstanding. His interpretations are taut without being over-driven; at the same time he is sensitive to the emotional ebbs and flows of Brahms’ music, and his management of transitions is masterly.” MusicWeb International, July 2012

“You don't often find freshness and innovation in performances of the Brahms symphonies, but Manze's take is wholly individual: they burst with life, by turns wistful, yearning, sharp-edged and blisteringly incisive...Manze's vision provides more than an "early music" approach to Brahms: this is the composer reinvented for the 21st century.” The Observer, 6th May 2012

“the modern Stuttgart strings do use vibrato, but sparingly, the leaner textures in no way inhibiting lyricism or sounding anaemic...this is an affectionate memento of how, in Norrington's words, he has tried to 'connect a modern orchestra with its roots'.” International Record Review, March 2011

“The interplay of divided strings is very clear. The woodwind players are absolutely top-notch, and I especially enjoyed their contributions in the first movement of No. 3, which of all the performances probably comes off best.” BBC Music Magazine, March 2011 ***

“I have only three words to describe this collection. Quality. Quality. Quality.” – Classic FM’s Simon Bates