"No one could write for brass more blazingly than Berlioz, and his skillful handling of the woodwinds is even more apparent when heard with early Romantic timbres. The ultimate pleasure of this disc, though, is found in the cohesion, agility, and passion of the group's playing, and Roth's confident leadership comes through in his precision and alert attention to details. Highly recommended"

"Now here's the thing. When I listened to Roth Mk 2 for the first time I wasn't sure what to make of it. However, returning to it in the context of Immerseel and Roth's earlier recording, I soon realised what a revitalising performance this newcomer is. In many ways it reminds me of Roth's Titan - sure to be one of my picks of the year - which also brings with it a wonderful sense of renewal and rediscovery. The joyful music-making and the first-rate recording - the ingénieur du son is Alix Ewald - certainly helps. Good liner-notes and essay, too. C'est magnifique; a glowing tribute to composer and conductor alike"

"Recording of the month - Editor's choice: The success of this account is not just through the conductor's close study of the autograph manuscript. Roth seems to have an emotional hotline to Berlioz, alive to every twist and turn of the composer's fevered passions"

"This superb recording further confirms, if it were necessary, that performing such music with contemporary instruments, but strings and no vibrato anywhere is far more than an exercise in scholarship. What the result may lack in weight and density is more than made up for by the gain in clarity and élan. François-Xavier Roth is particularly attentive to the latter, not stinting on the sforzandos"

Vurdering: 5/5