Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra.
Naxos CD.
Highly romantic music by Pavlova, a composer born in Russia in 1952 and now resident in the US, has been praised for surreal serenity woven with unflinching sadness.
Her highly emotional Symphony No. 6 was inspired by Vincent van Gogh's famous painting The Starry Night and dedicated to the artist.
It features a starring role for orchestral leader Mikhail Shestakov as a melodious soloist but is not a concerto.
Two long opening movements, showing some debts to the minimalist movement, are followed by two short ones.
The work occupies 41 minutes and the delightful five-part suite from Pavlova's ballet Thumbelina, based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, fills the rest of the disc.
Highlight: Fine orchestra (previously named Moscow Radio Symphony Orchestra), very well recorded.
National Youth Choir of Great Britain, London Symphony Orchestra.
EMI CD
Popular British composer Jenkins' new Gloria was first performed by The Really Big Chorus (over 2500 voices) at London's Royal Albert Hall, in July.
In this studio recording Jenkins himself conducts the LSO with a youthful choir in first releases of Gloria and Te Deum.
The former's five movements are strangely punctuated by brief readings from religious texts in various languages.
Of interest will be the fourth movement, the song I'll Make Music sung by Hayley Westenra (whose debut album Pure featured Jenkins' Benedictus.)
This successful New Zealand singer is an enthusiast who says Jenkins writes beautiful and dynamic melodies for the voice.
Many may agree.
Flashback: Dame Kiri Te Kanawa paired with the same composer in the 2006 album Kiri Sings Karl.
