There is nothing new for the dedicated Koussevitzky fan in Art One"s Koussevitzky Collection, since all these performances have already been released. But for the casual Koussevitzky collector, or the listener unfamiliar with the great Russian-American"s performances with the Boston Symphony, the Koussevitzky Collection will likely be incredibly exciting. This set reveals a first-class conductor, an orchestra at the top of its game, and thrilling performances, many of which are the first recordings of the works. Koussevitzky was a virtuoso bass player who, with the help of an immensely rich wife, transformed himself into a virtuoso conductor, who in turn transformed a first-rate American orchestra into a world-class orchestra. These performances, recorded between 1935 and 1947, are surely in the class of the best of their day. Koussevitzky and the Boston Symphony"s performance of Mendelssohn "Italian" Symphony is quick, light, and wonderfully propulsive; their Rachmaninov Third lean, linear, and incredibly intense; and their Mephisto Waltz No. 1 lithe, lovely, and slightly lascivious. Even better are the electrifying reading of Strauss" Don Juan and the rousing account of Berlioz"s Harold in Italy, performances that rank among the finest ever recorded. Best of all are the incandescent interpretations of Sibelius" Second Symphony and Scriabin"s Poem of Ecstasy -- the former still unrivaled in terms of drama, the latter still unequalled in its cogency -- and their virtually definitive performances of Roy Harris" and Howard Hanson"s third symphonies, and particularly, their exquisitely beautiful account of Copland"s Appalachian Spring. Art One"s remasterings are more than creditable, although not always better than those of previous releases. For listeners for whom antique sound is not an impediment to enjoyment, the sound quality is more than sufficient to reveal the musical magnificence of these performances. ~ James Leonard, Rovi