Audiophile Audition‘s Mel Martin reviews the new Michael Stern and Kansas City Symphony recording of Saint-Saëns Symphony No. 3:
“It’s a gigantic work, with organ, a large orchestra and two pianos. For years it’s been a favorite demonstration disc for audiophiles, and no wonder with it’s aggressive playing and wide dynamics.… Reference Recordings has long been a leader in high quality releases, so this is no ordinary recording. …The Organ Symphony was quite spectacular sounding…this is a superb and thoughtful performance, never over the top in terms of recording technique or the performance. The last movement of the symphony is explosive, but the organ never overpowers the orchestra, and the solo pianos are never lost in the bombastic finale. Kudos to organist Jan Kraybill. The Kansas City Symphony continues to please as it has become a major U.S. Orchestra under Michael Stern.” —Mel Martin, Audiophile Audition