'Janowski's new Pentatone SACD is impressive. He continues his Brahms symphony cycle with symphonies 2 and 3 recorded during live performances in Pittsburgh's Heinz Hall respectively in March and November 2007 (applause edited out), and producer Job Maarse again does a superb job in capturing rich orchestral textures.' Robert Benson, Classicalcdreview.com
'It is notoriously difficult to bring off this work convincingly, yet by negotiating the music's dramatic contours with complete naturalness, Janowski and his fabulous Pittsburghers create the impression of profound ease and inevitability. With playing and recording both of luxury class, Janowski's insightful readings will appeal even to those normally resistant to Brahms's music.'
Orchestral disc of the month Julian Haylock, Classic FM Magazine
'No orchestra could ask for better sound than PentaTone provided, and PentaTone could not have found a more high-principled orchestra than the PSO and conductor Janowski. This recording is a joint labor of love and we pray that would never cease as an example of what can really be done artistically and technologically if an orchestra and a recording label are in synch.'
John Nemaric, Audiophile Audition (Multichannel Disc of the month)
'Pentatone gets both symphonies, with all repeats intact, on a single 80-minute disc, making this quite a bargain. The engineering, as in the previous recording of the First Symphony, is very good in all formats, and seems to suit the greater intimacy of these two works particularly well.'
David Hurwitz, Classics Today
'Marek Janowski, principal guest conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, leads that well-mettled ensemble in smoothly executed performances of Johannes Brahms' Symphonies No. 2 in D, Op. 73 and No. 3 in F, Op. 90.'
Dr Phil Muse, Atlanta Audio Society
'We might just be within an ace of the finest Brahms symphony cycle of the digital era. Marek Janowski and the Pittsburgh Symphony commenced the series with impressive accounts of Symphony No 1 and the Haydn Variations. These live concert performances from November 2007 of Symphonies 2 and 3 confirm the partnership's mastery of Brahms and elevate expectations for the Fourth, which should appear within a matter of months.'
Stephen Habington, La Scena Musicale
