Wagner, Sibelius, Mozart: Scottish Chamber Orchestra 40th Anniversary Edition – review

This is a wonderful celebration of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra's 40th anniversary: sparkling performances, showing this independent-spirited ensemble – one of my own favourites – at their best, from three of their recent conductors – Charles Mackerras, associated with the SCO until his death in 2010; Joseph Swensen, now conductor emeritus; and Robin Ticciati, principal conductor since 2009. Mackerras's fresh, invigorating, cleanly detailed account of Mozart's Symphony No 41 "Jupiter", recorded at City Hall, Glasgow in 2007, is one to treasure. Swensen gives a convincing account of Sibelius's relatively unknownThe Tempest: Suite No 2, Op 109. Ticciati shows his feeling for Wagner in the Siegfried Idyll, all the more powerful for its poetry and restraint. As usual the Linn sound engineers have done an excellent job.