The Symphonic “Pops” Orchestra conducted by Nathaniel Shilkret has brought together in this album miniature masterpieces by four great composers; Jean Sibelius (1865-1957), Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943), Frederic Chopin (1810-1849) and Edvard Grieg (1843-1907). Sibelius’ Romance vividly demonstrates the Finnish composer’s mastery with instrumental tone colors. It opens with a soaring cello melody against a rich tapestry of strings and woodwinds: then sweeps through the orchestra gaining greater stature in its development. Romantic in quality, this selection is also imbued with a dark and sombre quality through the employment of woodwind and brass choirs that punctuate the smooth melodic line. The quiet mysterious mood of Romance is contrasted by the wild and impulsive dance Caprice. A piano, used by Shilkret as a percussive instrument in this arrangement, augments the sparkle and restlessness of Sibelius’ composition. Almost without exceptio...