Across-the-board ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reviews for the Kansas City Symphony’s recording of Adam Schoenberg orchestral music!
“I took a chance on this disc of new music from Adam Schoenberg (no relation that I can find to the more famous Arnold) for the simple reason I have admired previous recordings from Michael Stern and his excellent Kansas City Symphony.… The first two works presented here, Finding Rothko and American Symphony, are student works, dating from when Adam Schoenberg was studying composition with John Corigliano at Julliard.… They are beautiful for beauty’s sake, with rich orchestration… the real gem of this collection – the Picture Studies…was commissioned by the Kansas City Philharmonic with the specific request for a modern-day “Pictures at an Exhibition”. And here Adam Schoenberg reveals much more individuality and freedom of creative expression…It is much more sparkling, much more imaginatively orchestrated, and tells a much more interesting story. I enjoyed it immensely. Michael Stern makes the most out of this music, and Mr. Schoenberg could not possibly have a more sympathetic advocate. The Kansas City Symphony plays gorgeously and the recording is typical of what we have come to expect from Reference Recordings these days.” —David E. Rowe
“It is rare that I would give top marks to a modern composer. Since I live in Kansas City and attend the symphony regularly, I purchased this CD as a show of support, not thinking I would listen to the CD regularly. However, I am very pleasantly surprised! I have listened to this CD through 3 times this week, and look forward to listening again. … Beyond the compositions themselves, the quality of the recording is among the very best I have every heard. The CD is a hybrid recorded both in standard stereo and also in surround sound with a clarity that allows one to hear instruments individually. Further, the warmth of Helzberg Hall in the recently constructed Kauffman Center adds a distinct beauty all of its own. In summary, this CD was a true surprise and a delight. I plan to purchase further copies to share with my friends. I would give these 3 Symphonies more than 5 stars if I could.” —“SluethMusic”