And so this intelligently programmed disc does exactly what it should: it makes an excellent case on behalf of an unjustly neglected composer by presenting fine performances of a wide range of his orchestral music. Of course, not all of this material is new to CD. Neeme Järvi did a couple of these pieces on Chandos (ho-hum performances captured in less vivid sound), but the principal competition comes from José Serebrier's two outstanding Chadwick collections on Reference Recordings, which feature an identically paced Aphrodite and a slightly more exciting Melpomene (the Muse of tragedy), both a bit more naturally recorded.

Still, it wouldn't do to make too much of this. Kenneth Schermerhorn leads vital and appealing interpretations of all of this music, and he's very well recorded save for a touch of excess brightness at the trumpet-capped climaxes. The Nashville Symphony Orchestra once again proves what a first-class ensemble it is, with warm strings, excellent internal balances between sections, and some fine solo work from first desk strings, horn, and especially solo clarinet at the opening of Thalia. It's good to have these attractive pieces gathered together, and for anyone interested in well-crafted late Romantic music, this disc ought to be self-recommending.