James Ross / Critiques

From the first, pianissimo horn call, Ross created a structure to match what Schumann called Schubert's Symphony No.9's "heavenly length". And no-one was merely being "careful" - the sizzling string playing in the Scherzo, with its popular Viennese melodies tossed off as in a Weinstube, the bumptious Trio, and the final Allegro taken at a cracking pace - Dr Ross and the Christ Church Festival Orchestra deserve warm congratulations.

The Niš International Music Festival began with the concert of the Niš Symphony Orchestra. The beginning was so good that we can hardly imagine better. Musicians were highly motivated and great energy came from the young but experienced conductor, Dr James Ross. With the orchestra excellently prepared, Ross succeeded to present all the dynamic energy, rhythm and character of Beethoven, Symphony No.7, which resulted in an extremely unique and powerful sound.’