Sinfonietta bring out the sun

Amsterdam sinfonietta: The Bohemian Album. Photo / Supplied

Amsterdam Sinfonietta: The Bohemian Album (Channle Classics)

Rating: ***

Moscow Soloists with Yuri Bashmet (Onyx, both through Ode Records)

Rating: ****

Verdict: Top European string orchestras balance craft and class in classic repertoire

Amsterdam Sinfonietta's The Bohemian Album opens with a welcoming burst of Czech sunshine, courtesy of Dvorak's String Serenade. Any clouds are kept resolutely at bow's length until the work's final rush of Allegro vivace.

Familiar repertoire it may be but the Dutch musicians highlight the craft behind seemingly guileless tunefulness, exploring the ingenious textures of the opening movement and the composer's prettiest waltzes.

A move to the 20th century with Pavel Haas' From the Monkey Mountains sees those Bohemian skies darken.

With Haas' original scoring upgraded from string quartet to full string orchestra, a farm wagon in the second movement now lurches past in aural cinemascope and the storm so assiduously avoided by Dvorak takes over the Finale to thrilling effect.

Completing the set of Bohemian postcards, Erwin Schulhoff's Five Pieces, affectionate takes on popular dances from Viennese Waltz to Tango, are well enough played, but undeniably lose some of the salon charm that they have as string quartet pieces. Perhaps Yuri Bashmet and his Moscow Soloists might have been a little more adventurous with their Onyx collection of Mozart, Tchaikovsky and Grieg, but be prepared for a few surprises.

This Eine Kleine Nachtmusik may not please mainstream Mozartians and I certainly blinked at some wayward tempos in the first movement and streaky violin tone in the "Romanza".

However, almost all is forgiven when Bashmet transforms the final movement into Mendelssohnian fairyland gossamer.

Tchaikovsky's C major Serenade is as Slavic in spirit and intensity as anyone would want. Its nervy waltz is far too psychologically unsettling for any operatic ballroom. Perhaps, indeed, it is now a portrait of the composer himself?

Bashmet may not have to please the authenticity brigade with Grieg's Holberg Suite as the Norwegian composer had already tampered with 18th century sensitivities, but the conductor's delicate balancing and layering within the orchestra, lend the music just the right concertante air.

William Dart