Yes,absolutely magnificent. I've known the work for nigh on thirty years,and it has always been a favourite HB symphony......although the Marco Polo rendition nearly put me off,after my old cassette recording got 'mangled' up,and that was all I had for a while! The Brabbins recording is superb in every respect. It makes you realise what a tremendous symphony this is. I just love everything about it. I actually prefer it to the Gothic. If there was any justice in this world,a recording of Brian's truly wonderful (imho) third symphony would be mandatory from this team. Fantastic!!
It is a wonderful work and a great performance BUT following along with Malcolm MacDonald's essay, you realise that some orchestral detail is not captured in the recording, which actually is audible in the Marco Polo CD.