The Dream of Gerontius (complete)

'this new recording from the LSO and Sir Colin Davis is so detailed in its emotional responses - so magical is Davis's phrasing that there are times that one dare not breathe for fear of breaking the spell ... All three soloists are interpretatively and tonally arresting ... Davis's chorus and orchestra are really something special'
International Record Review (UK), September 2006

'In charge of his eloquent LSO forces, Colin Davis delivers this performance with passionate engagement, bringing to it an elemental sweep and dynamism on the one hand and spiritual tenderness on the other. Fine solo contributions from David Rendall's intensely vulnerable Gerontius, Alastair Miles forthright Priest and Anne Sofie von Otter's consoling Angel'
The Observer (UK), August 2006

'Colin Davis and his LSO forces deliver a powerful, exciting, totally committed performance from first note to last. Davis obviously, and to his credit, takes the music as seriously as did Elgar himself. Tempos are admirably swift, the demons aptly scary, and the whole buildup to the great Praise to the Holiest chorus is stupendous. The opening of Part Two steals in with positively sublime discretion and sensitivity, a tribute to Davis's keen attention to dynamics and phrasing ... The sonics are also among the finest to comefrom this source, with excellent balances between choir and orchestra and plenty of impact'
ClassicsToday.com (US), 14 August 2006

'Colin Davis's conducting is superb and the strings sound particularly luminous in the ecstatic sections; he also pulls the dramatic tension up to ever greater heights as the Soul both fears and hopes to meet God ... [Anne Sofie vonOtter's] gorgeous performance is worth the price of the disc alone'
Metro (UK), 7 August 2006

'Davis responds magnificently ... tapping the music's drama while dwelling on it's tender heart'
Daily Telegraph (UK), 12 August 2006

'Now in the absolute prime of his artistry, Davis adds his always visceral style to the atmosphere of the piece ... The direction of both orchestra and chorus is exceptionally nuanced, whilst all three soloists are dedicated to their task, creating a unified interpretation ... his [David Rendall's] sense of the text is excellent. Prayerful in the opening statement, he becomes gradually more agonised in the Sanctus before his soul goes on its unknown journey in Part 2 ... As descendants of the English choral tradition we want to be overwhelmed by the power of massed voices in this work, and the LSC does not disappoint ... it's a recording for all concerned to be proud of. But the laurels go to Davis for his inspired reading'
MusicOMH (UK), July 2006