My current favorite performance of the Second Symphony remains Mariss Jansons' with the Berlin Philharmonic on EMI, though heaven only knows how long it may remain available, assuming that it still is, and the couplings are different and less interesting (the angular Violin Concerto and the Mahagonny Suite). Alsop's performance is a touch on the slow side in the central Largo, but otherwise it's fully attuned to the music's bittersweet poignancy. The outer movements have the right balance of urgency and elegance, and Alsop is as impressive as anyone in the First Symphony. Lady in the Dark makes a wholly positive impression as well, and the orchestra sounds fully involved. I do have a quibble with the sonics, which are very good in terms of range and impact, but are just a touch too reverberant for music that favors the woodwinds and needs to sound crisp, even a bit dry. Still, at the Naxos price, this is a terrific deal, and being part of the catalog at least ensures that the music finally may have a chance to win the friends that it surely deserves. An easy recommendation.