At only 45 minutes of music, this set offers poor value, which is a pity because the performances are wonderful. Happily, the two Vaughan Williams items (including the rarely heard orchestra-only version of Serenade to Music) are also available on an excellent all-RVW 2-disc set (assuming it’s still available), while most Delians already will have many versions of the pieces included here. On the other hand, if the timing issue doesn’t bother you, then you will certainly enjoy Vernon Handley’s sensitive and idiomatic Summer Night on the River and Cuckoo, the LPO’s lovely string playing in Air and Dance, and the top-notch sonics (warm and rich but not excessively reverberant). Musically, I have no reservations at all in enthusiastically recommending this reissue. It’s your nickel. [3/25/2004]
