'This is a terrific, gripping performance from Gergiev and the LSO of Mahler’s Seventh Symphony, an edge-of-the-seat experience ... [Gergiev] brings an almost palpable darkness, fear and mystery to the three central movements, giving an impression, in the central scherzo, of hot, tormenting laser lights darting in from all angles, and imbues the outer movements with an almost frenzied momentum' (The Times)

'There is no denying the brilliance of sound and execution [Gergiev] obtains from the LSO. Gergiev's interpretation of this wayward and fascinating symphony is exciting … he casts quite a spell of lush romanticism' (The Sunday Telegraph)

'Magnetic and compelling ... brilliantly and subtly animated choral singing injects a sense of bleak mystery and awe. It’s the kind of performance you instantly wish you had witnessed, but this vivid and momentous recording takes you 99 per cent of the way there' (The Scotsman)

'Mahler’s mightiest symphony, with its huge orchestral forces and massive choral utterances, emerges with all the overwhelming sonic power the score demands ... its potent blend of spirituality and theatricality makes it a powerful contender for top honors amid a crowded field' (Chicago Tribune)

'The LSO’s playing is inspirational, both individually and corporately seemingly at one with its great conductor, virtually beyond criticism … nothing can detract from the excellence of this disc: it is quite outstanding in every respect, a very fine conclusion to a most worthwhile integral series of performances and recordings' (International Record Review)

'In Valery Gergiev's monumental version … the shadows are ever there, but void of undue sentiment or heavy-laden despair. The symmetry of this performance is overwhelming: the outer movements mountainous in dimension; the second-movement ländler grounded but vivid; the Rondo-Burleske infused with a spiky sarcasm; but all roads leading to the extraordinarily intense magnitude of the finale and its magical fading away to nothingness' (The Scotsman)

'The inner movements bristle with existential alarm, and the exhausted collapse at the height of the Rondo Burleske is particularly well done … superbly played' (The Guardian)

'Salonen surely does nearly everything that most of us require from a cutting-edge interpreter with plenty to say. His Boulezian ear for balance keeps all the textures phantasmagorically clear … [his] alertness to the right sonority gives us some moments of supernatural beauty' (BBC Music Magazine)

‘Though only a few recordings of Manchicourt's music have appeared over the past decade or so, this one is a significant addition … for its contrasting interpretive aesthetic’ (American Record Guide)

‘Recorded at Merton College, Oxford by eager, fresh young voices, singing full throatedly with a forward impetus, it has made for delightful listening. Recommended strongly’ (MusicalPointers.co.uk)

‘I was amazed … there is really excellent music here’ (Early Music Review)

‘Stephen Rice's superbly talented vocal ensemble features many members of the same family, and there's a great harmony, in all senses, about its work. Here, the Brabant does the 16th-century composer Manchicourt proud’ (FirstPost.com)