The usual coupling for the Mathis Symphony and Symphonic Metamorphosis is the Nobilissima visione suite, though the Trauermusik and other pieces have been trialled elsewhere. Belohlávek coupled a lacklustre Mathis Symphony with a bracing Konzertmusik for strings and brass for Chandos and Brabbins has taken the latter as the third panel of his new recording. (The only previous outing for this arrangement, outside of larger collections, is Bernstein’s with the Israel PO – DG, nla.)

Brabbins’s sequence is unusual, placing the works chronologically with the Mathis Symphony (1933-34) as centrepiece. While logical enough, I am not sure this is optimal musically, since the Konzertmusik, written for Koussevitzky and the Boston Symphony Orchestra (1929-30), and Symphony are the weightier items, with the later Symphonic Metamorphosis (1940-43) the equivalent here of a lighter-weight concerto. The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra audibly relish the challenges of each work and turn in immaculate performances of each, caught in superb sound by Mike Clements.

These might be first choices were there not so many compelling rival versions (I have listed only leading and recent ones below). In the Mathis Symphony and Symphonic Metamorphosis, Sawallisch remains first choice (placing the symphony last, incidentally) with Neschling a fine alternative, both generating a touch more excitement than Brabbins manages, as do Abbado or Järvi in the latter. As with Eschenbach’s recent rendition of it and the Konzertmusik (coupled with the Violin Concerto), Brabbins’s interpretations have good rhythmic thrust and drive; but choice will depend mostly on the couplings.