Elgar: Symphony No. 3

“Otaka and the Sapporo Symphony Orchestra need to lighten their plodding tread a little in the two Elgar works realised with ghost-like authenticity here by Anthony Payne. The Sapporo musicians play with precision and bright brasses but the Third Symphony wears thin for want of magic. The dancing scherzo lacks sensuousness. The finale becomes impatient through grinding, successive false endings.” The Times, 12th April 2008 ***

“A meticulous Third from an unexpected source - but the competition is fierce.” Gramophone Magazine, July 2008

“The first movement unfolds in a single expansion sweep without ever sounding hurried, while the wonderful Adagio builds to its awe-inspiring climax with a steady inevitability that strongly recalls Bruckner.” BBC Music Magazine, July 2008 ***

“…there's something oddly relentless about Hickox's attitude to tempo. The characteristic Elgarian ebb and flow, so well caught by Paul Daniel on Naxos, and so lovingly intensified by Colin Davis (LSO Live), is particularly lacking in the first two movements.” BBC Music Magazine, February 2008 ***

“Hickox's version of Andrew Payne's realization of the Third Symphony is special, which is very compelling indeed. His reading is not only marginally stronger and more dramatic than the others, but it has the advantage of superb SACD surround sound.” Penguin Guide, 2011 edition

"The Bournemouth Symphony's fine playing touches more depths and scales more heights than we've heard before ... The result is remarkable; at Naxos's bargain price it becomes irresistible." The Guardian

“How thrillingly urgent Elgar's unforgettably gaunt introductory bars sound here – a magnificent launch-pad for an interpretation of unswerving dedication, plentiful character and intelligence. Audibly galvanised by Paul Daniel's direction, the Bournemouth orchestra responds with infectious eagerness, polish and, most important, all the freshness of new discovery.
In these newcomers' hands there's a rhythmic snap and athletic drive about the mighty opening movement that exhilarate. Where Davis perhaps scores over Daniel is in the spiritual, 'inner' dimension he brings to those ineffably beautiful bars at the start of the development section. Come the succeeding Allegretto, and Daniel's approach is more urgent, less evocative. The anguished slow movement welds a penetrating textural and harmonic clarity to a noble strength that's very moving. Best of all is the finale, which now emerges in a rather less piecemeal fashion than it does under Davis.
Particularly good is the dark swagger that Daniel locates in both the nobilmente paragraphs, while the closing bars are magical, the final soft tam-tam stroke disappearing into the ether like some vast unanswered question. The sound is excellent in every respect. Another jewel in the Naxos crown, not to be missed.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010

“Not only do Davis and his excellent band distil a remarkable level of concentration in this nobly defiant, dark hued essay, they also locate a heartache and intimacy that touch to the very marrow.” Gramophone Magazine