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“structural genius… contrapuntal
mastery…committed
performance…splendid sound, warmly
recommended.”
Gramophone
”Woods shows his luminous
interpretive vision in the Schumann,
which blasts away the cobwebs of the
composer’s reputation as a dull,
borderline inept, orchestrator. As
Schumann’s final of four works in the
symphonic idiom, Op. 97 is full of
energy and inspiration. Never has the
outline of Schumann’s composition
been clearer. Woods shapes
exemplary phrasing from Orchestra of
the Swan; the clarity does not amount
to some kind of antiseptic dissection,
but something more at the opposite
extreme: a new lease on life for a
familiar masterwork.”
Indianapolis Star
"Gál is truly worth rediscovering ;
Woods’s recording project for Avie has
intrigued and delighted me and I’m
only left wanting more."
Classic FM Magazine
"“an excellent disc…a substantial work,
deeply felt and deeply
thought…obvious empathy and
understanding..with admirable clarity of
texture and finely honed
musicianship… could hardly be
bettered”
International Record Review
"The ‘Rhenish’ Symphony is given a
superb outing, gloriously joyous in the
outer movements, exuberant without
being pushed, and also generously
lyrical when needed, not least in the
triptych of middle movements,
beautifully phrased and sounded,
breathing and shapely, sensitively
addressed and lovingly detailed... . As
for alternative recordings of the
‘Rhenish’, Woods holds his own
against such wonders as Sawallisch
(Dresden rather than Philadelphia),
Celibidache (Munich), Giulini
(Chicago) and immediately becomes a
favourite for this delectable work. "
Classical Source
"Gál’s impassioned, well-crafted late
romanticism is readily accessible and
quietly moving – there’s a lot to enjoy
here. He’s good at subtle transitions –
the way that the delicious opening
melody segues into the first movement’
s more agitated fast section, and its
brilliant, ghostly close...brilliant,
exuberant work”
The Arts Desk
Gal's Third Symphony is written for a
relatively small ensemble, but it makes
the most of the limited orchestral
resources, giving every player a real
workout.... and all rise to the
challenge magnificently... Woods
knows that his woodwind soloists can
give him all the emotion the music
needs, without him having to pull the
tempos around, and they more than
repay his trust…..
Classical CD Reviews
"A first recording shouldn’t be a swan-
song, but Orchestra of the Swan really
does sing for Woods, in long, arching
melodic lines, Gál’s writing favouring
the woodwinds especially."
The Classical Review