Blomstedt and his small ensemble of musicians gave this score charm and fascination, subtlety and sensuality, rich nuances and fire - a real delight. (Mozart 'Linz' Symphony) Der Bund, Bern, 7 July 1999
I have not encountered a more brilliant, competently worked out, and deeply moving approach to Bruckner in years. (Bruckner 4th Symphony) Der Bund, Bern, 7 July 1999
... the Andante and the subtly stirring, deeply moving Scherzo revealed the special orchestral sound that makes the Gewandhaus Orchestra so unique. (Bruckner 4th Symphony) Augsburger Allgemeine, 1 July 1999
Blomstedt presents a Mozart that leaves nothing more to be desired. (Mozart 'Linz' Symphony) Leipziger Volkszeitung, 10 October 1999
No sneezing, no nose-blowing, no crumpling of candy wrappers - the audience knows what it is experiencing; it knows that the Gewandhaus music director invariably opens windows to paradise. (Bruckner 4th Symphony) Leipziger Volkszeitung, 10 July 1999
Sparkling clean intonation and dynamically sensitive, even in the most complex
passages of the brass section, passionate and musical to the core in the woodwind solos and with exquisite charisma in the strings - a sound panorama of enchanting beauty was created in the Gewandhaus concert. (Sibelius 1st Symphony) Freie Presse, 15 September 1999
. . . the rambling Adagio is the climax of the symphony. Blomstedt achieves an unequalled sonority, with delicate flute solos, ornate violin lines - almost supernatural. (Bruckner 7th Symphony) Leipziger Volkszeitung, 9 October 1999
. . . the orchestra demonstrated amazing subtlety in phrasing and marvelous dynamic diversity . . . until recently, a sound like this seemed unattainable on modern instruments. (Beethoven 6th Symphony) Leipziger Volkszeitung, 4 December 1999
Beethoven's Ninth in crystal clarity and credibility. (Beethoven 9th Symphony) Leipziger Volkszeitung, 31 December 1999
[The concerts] proved that authentic interpretation does not require period instruments. Blomstedt and his Gewandhaus musicians emphatically demonstrate phrasing, timbre, dynamics, agility and leanness - the orchestra with a long tradition on Augustusplatz can do all of that as well. (Bach B minor Mass) Leipziger Volkszeitung, 5 February 2000
Blomstedt, the Gewandhaus Orchestra and Bruckner - that is a combination of the very finest. (Bruckner 6th Symphony) Leipziger Volkszeitung, 12 February 2000
The always praiseworthy sound of all the sections of the orchestra is well-balanced from the opening to the final chord, polished and refined to the highest degree. (Bruckner 6th Symphony) Freie Presse, 12 February 2000
"You can work very quickly with this orchestra . . . this serious, almost existential Leipzig way of making music." (Interview with Ingo Metzmacher)
Leipziger Volkszeitung, 24 February 2000