Three Overtures by Auber, one by Planquette, each as light as a souffle and a joy, especially when smiled upon by this orchestra and conductor for affectionate, lively and stylish performances. Accounting for more than half of the playing time is music by another nineteenth-century Frenchman, Lecocq, for Mam’zelle Angot, a ballet score of similar cuisine, skilfully compiled and orchestrated by Gordon Jacob (1943/47). This forty-minute selection, including the overture, is hugely enjoyable – waving goodbye to overcast/grey days – and made the more so by the excellent playing – nimble, suave, characterful – and the judicious leadership of Järvi senior, superbly recorded in Tallinn (6/22). This tonic of a release, Chandos CHAN 20318, is available from June 28.
Neeme Järvi & Estonian National Symphony Orchestra record French Opera Overtures and Mam’zelle Angot for Chandos.
