[the Second Symphony's] usually leonine, masculine profile is lightly feminised here...but how the melodies flow, with characterful contributions from first clarinet and horn...Schwarz's players take delight, and so do we.

After rather plodding its way through the First Symphony, the Seattle Symphony responds to Borodin's deeper feelings in the Second with some terrifically rich and imposing playing...A bonus is the attractive and discernibly Slavic 'edge' to the orchestra's string tone, particularly low down.

Schwarz and his Seattle Symphony deserve awards for venturing where many conductors and orchestras are nowadays unwilling to tread. These performances are very fine, with the First beautifully expansive, and the Second lean and taut without losing its poetry. The bucolic Third is too hard-edged for my taste, though it's nicely played...it's a fine disc and a terrific bargain. Treat yourself.

Three cheers to the Seattle Symphony for championing Borodin’s symphonies, particularly in such fresh, lithe performances...Gerard Schwarz shows how virile the symphonies are, and how worthwhile it can be to explore other areas of the Romantic Russian repertoire than the usual Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff...This is glorious music, played with character and vitality.