Symphonies

Composed in the same year, 1855, about at the midpoint in his life, the French composer Charles Gounod (1818-93), best known for his opera Faust, finds his only two symphonies the subject of this new recording by the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra under their artistic director and concertmaster Gordan Nikolic. Appointed to his post in 2005, Mr. Nikolic (b. 1968) makes everything that moves him in the music both audible and visible; his passionate performances speak directly to the heart. 'Nikolic generates excitement in everything he plays' (The Times).