The Kansas orchestral playing is flamboyant, assured, but always affectionate, and the recorded sound is possibly the most realistic I’ve come across. “This is an exceptional disc in so many ways.

Surely few listeners will fail to be thrilled by the final bars, with organ capping the thunderous conclusion of the piece.” - Joe Milicia, EnjoytheMusic … these Enigma Variations are well worth hearing, especially as realized by RR’s engineering. “Stern offers a striking performance, its many memorable details enriched by the sound engineering. “…this 200-gram Mastercut album is sure to impress listeners even if they own a less than super-high-end turntable system.” -John Sunier, Audiophile Audition I said at the start that this is my first encounter with the Kansas City Symphony – as, indeed, it was with Michael Stern I hope it won’t be the last.” -John Quinn, MusicWeb International These recordings evidence a fine partnership between Michael Stern and his orchestra. I don’t think anyone buying it will be disappointed by the performances and they certainly won’t be disappointed by the engineering. And here, after some delay, is the answer to my wish, proving to be quite as remarkable as one might expect: just try the overture to Vaughan Williams’ The Wasps or the finale to the Enigma Variations to see what the SACD medium is capable of in the hands of a company that is fully aware of its capabilities.” -Barry Forshaw, Classical CD Choice

“…this writer was so impressed by the performance and sound quality of this cherishable disc in its CD version that I contacted Reference Recordings with my one caveat: that the disc was not afforded the company’s inestimable SACD spruce-up. Stern also masterminds a commendably sensitive, scrupulously prepared traversal of Elgar’s vernally fresh masterpiece… the engineering, which is of simply splendiferous, demonstration-worthy realism… Recommended if…you feel like giving your hi-fi components a thorough work-out. “The Wasps makes a dashing curtain-raiser – and what a treat to hear the other irresistible numbers in Vaughan Williams’s inimitably titled ‘Aristophanic Suite’. We are most honored to work with him again on this project. He has produced a large roster of stars and Grammy-winning titles. Producer David Frost has won Grammy awards in 2005, 20 for Classical Producer of the Year. He is also the founder of the Iris Chamber Orchestra in Memphis, Tennessee, and in addition to RR, has recorded for Sony, Hyperion, Denon, Arabesque and Naxos. Now in his eighth season as music director, the Kansas City Symphony has been much praised for its remarkable artistic growth and development since his tenure began. We are thrilled to work again with Conductor Michael Stern, the son of famed violinist Isaac Stern. Their second release on RR, Britten’s Orchestra, received a GRAMMY for Best Surround Sound for both the engineer and producer, as well as rave reviews everywhere! (Britten’s Orchestra, RR-120 is now unfortunately out of print). The Kansas City Symphony garnered tremendous critical acclaim for their first project on Reference Recordings, incidental music for The Tempest by Sullivan and Sibelius (Shakespeare’s Tempest, RR-115). A new symphonic tour-de-force from the Kansas City Symphony! This colorful, beloved English music has been captured in brilliant HDCD sound by GRAMMY®-winning engineer Keith O.

Enigma variations