"This is the third recording of Moisei Vainberg’s Sixth Symphony that I’m aware of. I do not know the other recordings of these works, but these are first rate. The sound and Whitehouse’s notes are worthy partners."
Roger Hecht - American Record Guide - September 2012
"...This is an important and timely release. Mieczyslaw Weinberg (1919-1996 and also known as Moishei Vainberg or Vaynberg) has achieved prominence in the past two decades thanks to an expanding torrent of recordings of his works. As though blessed by divine providence, the composer’s legacy benefitted from excellent performances and typically first-class audio conveyance. This issue from Naxos is no exception in terms of quality. By 2010, Weinberg was the featured composer at the Bregenz Festival with performances of 20 of his works including operas. The man once described as ‘the Jewish Shostakovich’ is now spoken of as the equal of Shostakovich and Prokofiev at the summit of Soviet music. Weinberg created strong music but avoided the bombastic irony of the former and quicksilver chain-rattling brilliance of the latter. In depth and breadth of feeling, this music can speak to the present day miseries of the new world disorder. In many respects, the continuing revelation of Weinberg resembles the 1960s discovery phase of the Mahler boom. Naxos has previously favoured Weinberg with recordings of chamber music and two accounts of the violin concerto. This venture into the symphonic realm at bargain price should induce more collectors to become acquainted with the composer. It is also good to see renewed Russian interest in this music which was studiously ignored during the last two decades of Weinberg’s life. Fortunately for us, he resolutely continued to compose."
Stephen Habington - Classical Music Sentinel - April 2012
"Weinberg entrusted three of his five movements to boys’ voices…The boys of Glinka Choral College carry the responsibility well here, showing up the limitations of the brave but non-native Russian singing on Fedoseyev’s Neos disc and of the adult female voices for Ahronovich…Lande conducts with an understanding and fervour that is greatly superior to both Fedoseyev version…Naxos should be thanked for giving us this worthwhile stop-gap. If it heralds recordings of Weinberg’s later, as yet unrecorded, vocal symphonies, that will certainly be cause for hats in the air."
David Fanning - Gramophone magazine - August 2012
"...the Sixth Symphony…is a dark work, with a long first movement filled with tension and emotional turmoil…a powerful impression is left. There are three middle movements approximately half as long…and a finale of about ten minutes in length. The second, fourth and fifth movements feature a boys chorus, and the first of these is quite colorful and rhythmic, with a text on youthful subjects by Lev Kvitko ...The Rhapsody on Moldavian Themes is a colorful composition for the most part…The latter half of this thirteen-minute work is quite attractive in its exoticism and folkish vigor. Both pieces on this CD are performed with commitment and accuracy by the St. Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra, under the knowing baton of Vladimir Lande. The Glinka Choral College Boys’ Choir also turn in splendid work. The Naxos sound is powerful and clear. If you admire 20th century music or are looking for a substantive alternative to Shostakovich, this release should prove of great interest."
Robert Cummings - Classical-Net - June 2012
***** Exceptional
Giuseppe Rossi - Musica magazine - September 2012
"...This is remarkable music excellently played and sung by the various forces involved... Vladimir Lande’s performance is very fine." - Lynn René Bayley
"... Have you made Weinberg’s aquaintence yet? The music on this CD is approachable, important, and of the highest quality, so this would be a godd place to start, especially given the strength of these performances." - Raymond Tuttle
Fanfare - September/October 2012
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