A good modern digital coupling of favourite music from Khachaturian's two most substantial ballet scores, with the CD firming up the sound and adding a sense of extra tangibility in the gentler music from Gayaneh by its background silence. The studio recording means that the more extravagant fortissimos do not spread or become ugly. Even so, as on the LP, there are moments when the focus slips just a little in Spartacus. Temirkanov's approach never goes over the top, yet he provides rhythmic vitality and strong characterization throughout and Khachaturian's vivid scoring is especially well projected in the characteristic dances of Gayaneh. Some might feel that the famous ''Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia'' could do with more histrionic feeling, but the climax is expansive and well caught by the recording. An enjoyable collection, brightly spontaneous in effect.'