Yutaka Sado has already revealed an affinity with Bernstein’s music in his impressive coupling of the Third Symphony (Kaddish) and Chichester Psalms (Erato, 7/99 – now on Elatus). This spirited new anthology also gives pleasure, though prospective purchasers may glance at the playing time and wonder why we only get the first (‘Times Square’) of the Three Dance Episodes from On the Town. Kim Criswell’s memorably raunchy delivery of ‘I can cook, too’ from that same show provides arguably the disc’s highlight. She has a ball, too, in ‘I am easily assimilated’ from Candide, which is framed by lusty and affectionate renditions of the popular overture and an effective 16-minute suite compiled in 1998 by Charlie Harmon.

Criswell is also a touchingly heartfelt presence in ‘Somewhere’ from West Side Story (the closing item here), which is preceded by the symphonic suite from On the Waterfront – a red-blooded display, without quite equalling the poetic instinct, widescreen drama and tender vulnerability of Marin Alsop’s recent Naxos version, let alone Lenny’s own inimitable NYPO recording. Still, this is a decent enough release and, an occasional touch of stridency apart, it’s been vividly engineered within Paris’s venerable Salle Wagram.