Symphony 5 / Suite From "Kratt" Ballet

Tubin was Estonia's greatest composer, and one of this century's most distinctive symphonists. Järvi conducted the Fifth Symphony in New York a couple of years ago to tremendous critical acclaim. It's an exciting work by any standard, energized by two sets of timpani that slug it out at various climactic moments. The ballet Kratt makes ample use of Estonian folk motifs, and concludes with one of the loudest and most percussive movements this side of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring. Järvi has been this composer's most persuasive advocate, recording all ten of the symphonies for BIS. If you like this one, you'll like the others too. --David Hurwitz