Enescu’s three numbered symphonies were composed between 1905 and 1918 and, although demonstrating an eclectic range of influences, reflect the composer’s increasing individuality and ambition during his 20s and 30s. The rhapsodic slow movements of the first two symphonies and the rapturous choral finale of the Third are especially inspired and haunting. Two later symphonies were drafted and partially orchestrated but never completed.

For my money, the most interesting and persuasive recordings of the symphonies have come from Romanian conductors and orchestras, in particular Horia Andreescu in the First and Second symphonies and Ion Baciu in the Third. There’s also an electrifying live performance of the First Symphony by Constantin Silvestri and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra available on Nimbus. However, the Romanian recordings tend to lack refinement in terms of playing and recording, and are difficult to find away from streaming platforms, while the Silvestri performance is captured in constricted mono sound.

This new release by Cristian Măcelaru on DG brings the benefits of more polished playing and better sound than the earlier Romanian releases, as do previous recordings by Gennady Rozhdestvensky on Chandos, Lawrence Foster on Warner and Hannu Lintu on Ondine. I marginally prefer Măcelaru’s performances to those of Rozhdestvensky and Lintu, but given the choice I’d opt for Foster, whose interpretations convey a degree more fantasy and ardour at key moments in all three works. The new set also includes the two Romanian Rhapsodies, which are stylishly played but do not eclipse memories of longstanding classic recordings from the likes of Stokowski in the First and Ormandy in the Second.