Mere contemplation of a new CD of Suppé overtures is enough to set the spirits racing. What other composer created such a body of rousing, exhilarating and immensely tuneful pieces? Happily the CD era has expanded the repertory beyond the half-dozen or so overtures that seemed to become standard during the LP era – and without any immediate loss of quality. Here’s a typical selection, the regular favourites being supplemented by the overtures to the comic opera Isabella and the operetta Das Modell. Since the latter was the work on which Suppé was engaged at his death, it shows that, even at the age of 76, his musical vigour and tunefulness were scarcely diminished.

The eight overtures are augmented by five other pieces – a trio of rousing marches, plus the Humorous Variations on the popular Viennese ‘Fuchslied’ (‘A-hunting we will go’ to you and me) and also, more surprisingly, an arrangement by Max Schönherr of march themes from the operetta Fatinitza. All 13 pieces are already available in Marco Polo’s six-CD set of Suppé overtures but here Neeme Järvi and his Scottish players provide more than just a touch of extra precision and zip. Järvi indeed seems born to direct this music and the effect of the crisp playing is accentuated by effective use of rubato and exhilaratingly breakneck conclusions to Boccaccio, Pique Dame and Isabella in particular. With martial vigour also in the marches and typically fine Chandos sound quality, this is a clear winner. Highly recommended!