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Bartok and Kodaly - SCO - The Sunday Times

It's not surprising, perhaps, that the supreme Janacek conductor of our time should demonstrate as close an affinity with two of Hungary's greatest musicians. This remarkable coupling of Kodaly's most appealing orchestral work, based on the music of the Romany gypsies of Galanta, and Bartok's two masterpieces, both commissioned by the wealthy patron conductor Paul Sacher for his Basle Chamber Orchestra, is one of the most compelling on disc. The SCO seem to respond to Mackerras's baton as they do to no other conductor, and their playing here has a virtuosity, a rhythmic élan and a palette of rich orchestral colour to challenge the finest performances. Superb, full-bodied sound quality, too.

The Sunday Times
05 September 2004