Audiophile Audition gives ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for “American music by [Adam] Schoenberg wonderfully recorded and performed” by the Kansas City Symphony!
“[Adam] Schoenberg has had a productive relationship with the Kansas City Symphony and conductor Michael Stern, so the disc contains some early works by Schoenberg and a work commissioned by the KCS. Schoenberg’s works are increasingly being played by American Symphony Orchestras. He has a unique voice, and audiences seem to be connecting to his music.… Like other Reference Recordings, this sounds first class. It’s a demo-quality production, giving the listener a great introduction to these works of Schoenberg. The music, which is colorful and richly textured, mates well with the recording style here. I listened to the SACD layer for the full 5.1 multichannel experience, and it was dynamic and uplifting. It has the sound of a live performance, with the surrounds providing the sonic signature of Helzburg Hall at the Kauffman Center for the Performing arts in Kansas City. I liked Schoenberg’s music very much, and the recording and performance make this a very worthwhile purchase.” —Mel Martin, Audiophile Audition