The recording of "Casa Guidi" on this album won the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Classical Contemporary Composition. This selection is a HDCD (High Definition Compatible Digital) recording.

" . . .Argento, who has extensive experience writing opera, is a master of scene setting and grateful writing for the voice. He is also a great orchestrator and like his obvious mentor here, Strauss, leaves nothing to be desired in his touching and flawless expressions of these warm and intimate texts. If you love Strauss opera and want it in English with a little Carlisle Floyd thrown in, you will want this, especially in this gleaming performance with Ms Von Stade at her peak and this wonderful orchestra captured in radiant sound . . ."

" . . . Argento's Capriccio for clarinet and orchestra (1985) takes the titles of its three movements from piano pieces from Rossini's Sins of My Old Age . . . this is a charming, classically sculpted concerto filled with diverting melody, absorbing argument and congenial civilization. This major contribution to the clarinet repertoire is given a performance that will set the standard for years to come."

" . . . [an] essential release, which offers a compelling portrait of one of our most persuasive American romantics."

- GIMBEL, American Record Guide, Jan/Feb 2004 issue