" ...the playing is romantic and glowing ...the warm, glowing recording gives pleasure and the VPO produce much beautiful tone and elegant phrasing ..." (Gramophone)
"Masur's performances of the Overtures are... satisfying in their lack of mannerism...Even as a composer of light music, Beethoven was a master." (The Penguin Guide)
"…whatever Bernstein does, he really means it, and his ability to communicate his intense feelings about the music to the orchestra, and thus to the audience, is quite remarkable." (Gramophone)
"The finale is especially fine, and beautifully prepared with a dramatic dynamic change from pianissimo to a joyous fortissimo. The recording is very good. (Symphony No. 5)" (The Penguin Guide)