Michael Stern – Press

back to artist page

Reviews

CD Review: Michael Sterns Conducts Kansas City Symphony in Saint-Saëns Symphony No 3

Saint-Saëns Symphony No 3

by Geoffrey Norris Gramophone

September 1, 2015

“Then comes the big beast of the programme, but, as always, the crucial test is not so much the volume of the organ but the way in which the orchestral context of the symphony as a whole is established. Here Michael Stern impressively injects impetus into the first section’s sinewy fabric, alert to instrumental colour and the contrapuntal discipline and intrigue of the writing.”

CD Review: Michael Stern conducts Kansas City Symphony in Saint-Saëns Symphony No 3

Camille Saint-Saëns

by Brian Wigman Classical Net

July 1, 2015

“Michael Stern is one of America‘s finest conductors… having carved out a distinguished career for himself, Stern the Younger continues to gift the market with award-winning releases… Happily, Michael Stern chooses a tempo to open the work which ensures that nothing runs together, and he also shapes the music with uncommon attention to detail. Every crescendo is so well-caught that the drama is naturally heightened.”

Michael Stern conducts Kansas City Symphony

Beauty and chaos: KC Symphony presents invigorating Stravinsky, Debussy, Brahms concert

by Bill Brownlee The Kansas City Star

January 11, 2015

“Music director Michael Stern conducted ‘The Rite of Spring‘ so demonstratively that he occasionally appeared to be practicing a frenetic form of martial arts. He maintained a deliberate pace during the meditative portions of Stravinsky’s work while embracing the chaos of its most tumultuous elements.”

Michael Stern conducts Kansas City Symphony

Michael Stern conducts Kansas City Symphony in Wagner, Brahms, Mendelssohn

The Kansas City Star

October 26, 2014

“Though the music shifted darker with tortured harmonies, as each moment peaked, Stern maintained excellent control of the suspended breath, with nice communication across the ensemble.”

Michael Stern conducts IRIS Orchestra

Michael Stern conducts IRIS Orchestra in Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms and Bach

The Commercial Appeal

October 17, 2014

“Fine form, crisp and expressive under Stern’s baton.”