A happy coupling, in that with today's technique each of the symphonies can be offered complete on one side; this has not always been the case. The symphonies themselves will bring cheer to the hearts of listeners who believe that there is room in serious music for the light-hearted. Perhaps—just perhaps—there are places, a few, in No. 2 where the light-heartedness verges on the jokey. But there are no such places in No. 5, written in affectionate memory of four friends who had died early. A central elegiac movement most obviously pays tribute to them exceptionally movingly; a finale starts easily, but gradually becomes suitably heraldic.
Both orchestras, with flexible string playing, alert woodwind playing and strong brass and percussion sections present the two symphonies in the very best of styles. The recording quality, too, is among the best. A reissue in which everything seems to have gone right.'