Michael Tilson Thomas - Complete Deutsche Grammophon & Argo Recordings

"Thomas demonstrates the rare ability to recognize the boundary between sentiment and sentimentality, and here he completely realizes, with the aid of DGG's vital and transparent engineering, the young composer's exuberant tonal imagination." High Fidelity, September 1971 (Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 1)

"Thomas once again shows why he's the fastest rising star on the classical conducting scene. He is forceful without unnecessary sternness, tender while never losing control, and knowledgeable without imposing. The Boston Symphony plays with certainty and taste." Billboard, April 1971 (Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 1)

"Tilson Thomas brings an essentially poetic and light hand … The orchestral performance and recorded sound can only be described as gorgeous." Stereo Review, May 1971 (Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 1)

"An utterly delightful account, superbly played and recorded, with just the right combination of vitality and sentiment." High Fidelity, July 1975 (Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 1)

"The program of American music turns out even better than expected: Walter Piston's Second Symphony is an eloquent, exhilarating, skilfully constructed and orchestrated work." High Fidelity, September 1971 (Piston, Schuman)

"Here's still another fine effort in the recent rash of new recordings by the young conductor. In both works, he shows his versatility and range, putting his talents to work, in a generally over -all rich performance. The violinist here, Paul Zukofsky, is brilliant." Billboard, April 1971 (Piston, Schuman)

"Michael Tilson Thomas has certainly demonstrated that his is one of the most remarkable conducting talents to be found anywhere among the young … Thomas conducts both of these impressive works with utter ease and conviction." Stereo Review, June 1971 (Piston, Schuman)

"Thomas' reading of Ives offers by far the most clearly detailed performance yet recorded... The high point of this record, indeed of this whole set of discs, is the shattering grandeur of Sun-treader." High Fidelity, February 1971 (Ives/Ruggles)

"The first recorded performance to do full justice to Ruggles' grim but nobly eloquent Sun-treader." High Fidelity, April 1971 (Ives/Ruggles)

"One could hardly ask for a finer amalgam of vitality and refinement than that achieved by Mr. Thomas (who is the pianist) and his superbly accomplished colleagues. The recording is beautifully transparent and bright." High Fidelity, February 1971 (Debussy: Sonatas)

"Thomas' pianism is kaleidoscopically coloured in his collaboration with Joseph Silverstein and Jules Eskin in the Debussy Violin and Cello Sonata." High Fidelity, April 1971 (Debussy: Sonatas)

"Tilson Thomas gives us one of the most perceptive and volatile readings I have ever heard." Stereo Review, May 1972 (Stravinsky)

"One of Thomas' greatest achievements here is in giving such variety of color to the dissonances in such a way that they lose some of their shock effect and become intrinsically expressive. … the final impression is of one continuous and inspired reading." High Fidelity, November 1972 (Stravinsky)

"[Luisada] brings freshness to both these concertos, and Tilson Thomas is an affectionate partner." Gramophone, December 1994 (Grieg, Schumann: Piano Concertos)