Warmth and spontaneity have generally marked Neeme Järvi’s recordings, but his thrusting manner on this new disc too often brings clipped, unsprung rhythms and fast, even perfunctory tempi. The excellent players of the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra are sometimes hard-pressed to articulate the notes accurately or even at all, as in the running quavers in the finale. Contrast that with the still-outstanding Jansons version, where the Oslo players, at a speed very nearly as swift, not only articulate clearly but give the music shape.

Tchaikovsky’s underrated First Symphony is full of magical moments yet Jarvi shows little sign of affection. The first movement’s second theme is very plainly done, the Adagio is turned into an Andante, and the fast, fierce Scherzo entirely lacks the wit and charm that Jansons finds. Even in the waltz-like Trio, to which Jarvi does give a swinging lilt, he makes a forced, exaggerated accelerando. The hectic tempo in the main section of the finale brings a kind of excitement, but too much is missing.

A similar pattern marks the other items. Parts of the The Snow Maiden Suite have refined textures, but rhythms tend to plod, and the final ‘Dance of the Buffoons’ is so forceful and unpointed that all sense of fun is lost. The Romeo and Juliet battle music is too fast, and the love music is cool. As ever, the BIS recording is full, brilliant and clear.