Herreweghe's expertise in period-style performance convinces totally: the orchestra sound is crisp and clean, with rattling, war-like timpani and tight-reined, yet decently weighty string sound...In terms of everything that matters - not just style and sonority, but also a true response to the music's endless riches of drama and invention - these performances are as close to definitive as you can get.

the playing is good enough and the overall approach to both symphonies is quietly convincing...considerate balancing is a laudable attribute - in the Seventh's Allegretto Herreweghe is good at keeping melody and countermelody on equal terms