Dudamel’s performance of the Seventh’s first movement has marvellous lucidity, and the playing of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, excellently recorded, reflects every nuance of the score…[No. 9] is completely successful with a winningly dynamic first movement, and a reading of the famous Largo which, without any histrionics, speaks compellingly for itself...as a whole this is one of the finest performances available.

The LA Phil, as it now styles itself, plays beautifully, captured in outstanding recorded sound—the trumpet fanfares in the finale of Symphony No. 8 have never sounded this realistic. Everything is so present, you can easily place yourself at the live event.

Both minor-key symphonies come over strongly on their own terms. Dudamel underlines the darkly Wagnerian harmony and Brahmsian density of the Seventh.