Karl Georg Berg, Die Rheinpfalz, 9th March 2019
“Symphony No. 2 in D major (Op. 36) by Beethoven was charged with explosive energy by the British maestro Michael Francis from the very first bar. Quick time measures (quite true to Beethoven’s metronome specifications), a dry sound, sharp contrasts with effectively utilized moments of surprise—these were the criteria of an interpretation that may not have been strictly historically informed, but certainly in keeping with the composer’s works and that beautifully expressed the youthfully revolutionary spirit of this composition in a magnificent way…
In Dances of Galánta by Zoltán Kodály, Francis and his dazzling orchestra—the brilliant clarinet solo by Gerhard Kraßnitzer should be mentioned here—also relied on transparency and rousing dance-like verve to the point of fiery ecstasy. He pushed the envelope of the popular piece to great effect.”
