rondomagazin.de, Manuel Brug, 25.01.2025
"The pseudo-medieval humpa seems to be completely out of fashion; you have to go back years to find a new recording in the catalogues. Now, of course, Paavo Järvi has presented a very decent, very lean swinging new recording on the podium of his Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich."
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myscena.org, John Gilks, 31.01.2025
«What does one want from a new recording of a familiar, if idiosyncratic, piece like Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana with its curious mix of Latin, Old High German, Old French and lush Romanticism? I think the answer is a pulsating, exciting ride spiced with some humour and if it’s a bit vulgar, then that’s just part of the fun. That’s pretty much the overall impact of this new recording from Zürich on the Alpha Classics label. Conductor Paavo Järvi never lets things drag.»
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onlinemerker.com, Dirk Schauß, January 2025
"Paavo Järvi has now made a new reference recording for the Alpha Classics label with the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich and an impressive ensemble of soloists and choirs. This recording impresses with its brilliant sound quality and fascinating interpretative depth.
Paavo Järvi conducts the 'Carmina Burana' with a mixture of precision and transparency that is rather rare in this work. His interpretation avoids the often-heard bombast, focussing instead on the subtle shades of the work. The tonal balance between the choir, orchestra and soloists is impressive, thanks to the conductor's subtle direction. Once again, the conductor's original approach to the work is convincing. Järvi meticulously works out the smallest details and then integrates them into the overall context. The result is a version that reveals something new in many places and allows itself a few extra minutes to do so.
The Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich inspires with bright colours and rhythmic conciseness. The brass and percussion in particular lend powerful accents to the dramatic passages, while the strings radiate a delicate warmth. The woodwinds also inspire with their radiant accents. The large string section provides a fine sound foundation.
With this production, the Alpha-Classics label has once again proven its leading position in the field of audiophile classical recordings. The sound quality of the recording is exceptional: every note, every nuance is captured clearly and brilliantly without compromising the overall musical effect. The dynamic range extends from delicate, almost wafer-thin moments to the thunderous fortissimi that make 'O Fortuna' so irresistible.
Paavo Järvi and the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich present a recording of 'Carmina Burana' that sets new standards both musically and in terms of sound. The ensemble impresses with its precise ensemble playing, outstanding soloists and a choir that impresses with its expression and richness of sound. This recording for Alpha-Classics is undoubtedly one of the most successful recordings of the work."
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Gramophone, Edward Seckerson, February 2025
«I was quickly on board once the bass drum was given its head in the punchy grace notes of ‹Fortune plango vulnera› and indeed felt the rush of excitement through the ‹Tanz› of the ‹Uf dem Anger segment with its vibrantly rustic pizzicato an the brilliant fanfares of ‹Were diu welt all min› at the close of Part 1.
Järvi is also alive to the sensuousness of the piece, the fragrant Arcadian rapture. Piano and glockenspiels convey the cool clean air of it. And he has excellent soloists who really relish the words.»
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the arts fuse, Jonathan Blumhofer, 01.02.2025
«Clarity and energy are the names of the game, with little details emerging all over, like the crisply present (and audible!) bass drum grace notes in ‹O Fortuna› and the wonderful sense of space in ‹Olim lacus›. Also, the music’s debts to Stravinsky (especially Les Noces) come out strongly in the reading’s pristine delivery of Orff’s writing for percussion instruments.
Alpha’s sonics are bright and sometimes a bit resonant. But everything is balanced well and the excitement of Järvi’s reading is palpable. Who knew we needed another recording of Carmina Burana? This one fully justifies itself.»
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limelight-arts.com.au, Tony Way, 19.02.2025
«Paavo Järvi and his Zurich forces paint these contrasts well; Järvi ensuring the whole work is bound together by an excellent sense of dramatic pacing. The vivid and carefully focussed orchestral playing and well drilled ensemble singing are backed up by persuasive and empathetic soloists.»
4,5 of 5 stars
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