Marin Alsop

“There are two attractions here: the only current recording of the Short Symphony and a fine recording of Symphony No 1 - at last.” Gramophone Magazine, December 2008

“Under Marin Alsop's incisive direction, the Bournemouth musicians perform all three works with just the right blend of power and finesse, and negotiate their sometimes extremely complex rhythms with confidence and precision.” BBC Music Magazine, December 2008 *****

“The unashamed brassiness of the orchestra's sound marks it out as the work of an American ensemble, but alongside that there is plenty of subtlety to the wind-playing, not least the marvellous cor anglais in the famous slow movement, as well as the cameos given to flute and clarinet elsewhere in the work. The strings, on the other hand, bring a sheen more in keeping with the music's European roots. The recorded sound is particularly warm and welcoming, and both that and the superlative performances mean that the two promised successors to this disc - more Dvorák recorded under the same circumstances - cannot arrive soon enough.” Matthew Rye, Daily Telegraph, 28th June 2006 Disc of the Week

“It’s hard to understand why a work as enjoyable as the Symphonic Variations, by a composer as popular as Dvorak, should be so neglected. Marin Alsop and the Baltimore Symphony remind us of its charms and richly inventive colours in this vivid, incisive account. They also do the symphony proud, proving that a warhorse such as the New World is hackneyed only in the minds of jaded performers and listeners.” Sunday Times, 22nd June 2008 ****

“It is rare to be able to say that a performance forces one to listen to a work anew, but this is exactly what Alsop's reading achieves. Excellently recorded and with an elegant and witty performance of the Symphonic Variations as makeweight, this is a superb issue all round.” BBC Music Magazine, July 2008 *****

“…a terrific reading of a firm favourite. Yet overall, Alsop's is not a histrionic reading but one full of affectionate touches… What makes this disc doubly recommendable is the superb account of the Symphonic Variations… The recording is outstanding in every way, well balanced and vivid in detail.” Gramophone Magazine, August 2008

“Played with arching smoothness by Martin Robertson…Ultimately the piece is a love song, and a beautiful one.” The Guardian

“Finley magnificent in the Turnage anti-war settings that crown a fine disc.” Gramophone Magazine, April 2008

“Alsop and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra prove worthy interpreters of Bartók’s psyco-drama. Alsop bathes the score in an impressionist glow, dark and glistening. She gives her excellent soloists… ample room to define the drama, while tightening the screws where appropriate, making for a suitably chilling climax.” Financial Times

“…this Bluebeard is more than good enough to introduce a great and compelling work but if pressured to choose while ignoring of the price-tag I would opt for John Tomlinson's Bluebeard under Bernard Haitink.” Gramophone Magazine, February 2008

“…the performance is greatly helped by fine playing from the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, and Alsop's sweepingly dramatic view of the score. The vocal contributions, however, are less distinguished.” BBC Music Magazine, January 2008 ***

“Marin Alsop's reading is certainly fine: dark of hue, lyrical and long drawn, though never, even for a moment, comatose. Rhythm is good, articulation keen, phrasing exquisite, the reading's crepuscular colours glowingly realised by the LPO. The reading has a quality of melancholy, a wistfulness crossed with a sense of incipient tragedy, which is almost Elgarian” Gramophone

“Takemitsu’s music is essentially sensuous and evocative; one might almost count him a Japanese Debussy.” The Penguin Guide

“A beguiling collection of early and late Takemitsu works.” BBC Music Magazine, August 2006

“Quint sails through, with playing full of form, tone and shapeliness” The Daily Telegraph