This sunny and brilliantly played disc gives you Kodaly's three most popular orchestral works, all in supercharged performances overflowing with color and excitement. Given the fact that Georg Solti, a real Hungarian, spent the better part of his life at the helm of this very orchestra, it's curious that it took Neeme Järvi (an Estonian) to make an all-Kodaly record with them.
In any event, circumstances could hardly have turned out better. Järvi pushes the orchestra hard--the Galanta Dances really fly--but Chicago is one of those super-virtuoso orchestras that loves a challenge, and you can practically hear them taking Järvi's dare and running with it. A disc that's pure fun. -- David Hurwitz
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