Stereophile Magazine critic Stephen Francis Vasta gives Michael Stern and the Kansas City Symphony a four-and-a-half star rating and the sonics a five-star rating in his review for their new One Movement Symphonies recording:
“These three symphonies, all dating from the first half of the 20th century, comprise so apt a program that I’m surprised no one did it before. … The program demands front-line virtuoso playing, and the Kansas City Symphony proves up to the challenge. The string sections sound well-blended and beguilingly warm. The suave woodwind soloists form a velvety choir, capable of fetching light staccatos. Brasses are a firm and round presence, without overbalancing. The ensemble sonority is full-throated and varied. Michael Stern does a fine job, shaping phrases with purpose, leaning into important accents (including Scriabin’s whooping horns!), surging into climaxes. … Prof. Johnson and Reference Recordings provide bright, transparent, balanced sonics that suggest we’re hearing the orchestra unmediated. Bravi tutti.”
—Stephen Francis Vasta, Stereophile