American Record Guide critic Roger Hecht reviews the Pittsburgh Symphony and Manfred Honeck’s recording of Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4 and Leshnoff: Double Concerto:
“Manfred Honeck seems to have a clear, thought out concept of this work. Every phrase, measure, balance, dynamic nuance, coloring, etc. sounds conceived in advance. … The result is a conception executed to the last 16th note by well trained players. … this is an effective and interesting performance, carried off with conviction. … [Jonathan Leshnoff’s] Double Concerto for clarinet and bassoon is an attractive three movement piece of light romanticism written for these performances … beautifully wistful and lyrical… Both soloists are excellent and in spirit with the work… The Double Concerto is delightfully entertaining… and it is nicely played. The recorded sound is outstanding, and Honeck’s detailed booklet observations about the symphony, complete with precise timings for his points, are fascinating and valuable.”
—Roger Hecht, American Record Guide (Sept/Oct 2020)