Classical reviews: February 8

Prokofiev: Symphony No.4, The Prodigal Son. Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra. Naxos CD.

Marin Alsop conducts the highly regarded Brazilian orchestra in these two aptly linked works. The symphony was based largely on musical ideas in the ballet, although this 1947 ''revised'' version is longer and richer and less reminiscent of The Prodigal Son ballet written for Diaghilev in 1929.

The ballet is based on the biblical parable. With an added seductress but minus the resentful brother, the story of a reckless boy is told in 10 dances, and inspired ==the four-movement symphony. The first movement has new material before introducing the riotous friends of the ''prodigal son''.

The son returns home in the second movement, but his temptress appears in a playful third movement before an Allegro provides a final reconciliation.

Highlight: Energetic performance of Prokofiev themes.

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Guilty Pleasures. Renee Fleming (soprano). Decca CD.

American soprano Renee Fleming, ''the people's diva'' and awarded a National Medal of Arts by US President Barack Obama, has a lengthy discography but some of her admirers have too long awaited a follow-up to her 1999 Grammy-winning album The Beautiful Voice.

Decca previously provided a compilation, The Art of Renee Fleming, but this disc is more likely to please her fans. Accompanied by the Philharmonia Orchestra under Sebastian Lang-Lessing, she provides 17 songs and arias of her own choosing, ranging from Flower Duet (sung with friend Susan Graham) to rapturous melodies of Tchaikovsky, Dvorak and Rachmaninov.

Good to hear an English item from John Corigliano's modern opera The Ghosts of Versailles. Danny Boy creeps in as a finale to Renee's treats.

Highlight: Gloriously sung lyric lines.

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