Roberto Sierra: Symphony No. 6; Sinfonietta for String Orchestra; Two Pieces for Orchestra

The orchestral works of , kinetic and energetic, have been programmed by many U.S. orchestras. They may now find comparable success in Britain, thanks to this release by the and its new conductor, . The works on the album span a 25-year period, ending with the newly commissioned , which sees as a kind of contemporary counterpart to 's similarly numbered . is perhaps at his best in shorter works, which perhaps take as a point of departure. Sample the irresistible , based on a harpsichord piece by expands the pattern kaleidoscopically, and the steps up with crisp brass and percussion work. The opening lives up to its name, and the , a pandemic-era work, shows 's ability to graft Latin influences onto a traditional structure without percussion. It is an economical piece that deserves wider exposure. This release could certainly serve as an introduction to 's music and its considerable virtues. Listeners can make up their own minds about the ; 's "Huracan" may seem a pale shadow of 's thunderstorm, but rare will be the listener who can resist the . ~ James Manheim