“Lucid detail, refined shaping, polished instrumental solos and a shrewd way with texture and rhythmic ebb and flow contribute to an interpretation as astutely conceived as it is vital in execution.” --Gramophone Magazine, October 2013
“this Bells may be unsurpassable...The three soloists are superb, even if Dmytro Popov is a more heroic tenor than usual and Luba Orgonasova plays firm matriarch at the wedding rather than young bride. Mikhail Petrenko's bass is another quality voice, prefaced and mirrored by the most human cor anglais solo I've ever heard....a remarkable achievement.” --BBC Music Magazine, November 2013 *****
“this Bells may be unsurpassable...The three soloists are superb, even if Dmytro Popov is a more heroic tenor than usual and Luba Orgonasova plays firm matriarch at the wedding rather than young bride. Mikhail Petrenko's bass is another quality voice, prefaced and mirrored by the most human cor anglais solo I've ever heard....a remarkable achievement.” --BBC Music Magazine, November 2013 *****
Gramophone Awards 2014 Shortlisted - Choral
“Rattle’s account of The Bells is very impressive: he has three excellent soloists and the choral and orchestral contributions are first class...I’m equally taken with his reading of the Symphonic Dances...the Berlin playing is simply fabulous...These are two of Rachmaninov’s greatest works and Simon Rattle has done them proud with this exciting disc.” --MusicWeb International, 22nd September 2013
“the choral singing [in The Bells] combines agility and heft – the third movement terrifies. Good soloists too – notably bass Mikhail Petrenko. Rattle’s characteristic ear for detail rarely derails the forward momentum...Rattle’s new Symphonic Dances take a while to work their magic...But you’re slowly won over” --The Arts Desk, 24th August 2013
“the choral singing [in The Bells] combines agility and heft – the third movement terrifies. Good soloists too – notably bass Mikhail Petrenko. Rattle’s characteristic ear for detail rarely derails the forward momentum...Rattle’s new Symphonic Dances take a while to work their magic...But you’re slowly won over” --The Arts Desk, 24th August 2013
