That the newest music on this disc devoted to Eino Tamberg (80 this year) is almost 40 years old (the rest over 50) shows how much catching-up we have to do with this distinguished composer. Tamberg’s idiom is neo-classical, tonal but harmonically active. Alongside influences from folk music are those, to be expected from a composer growing up in the Soviet bloc, of Prokofiev and Shostakovich. Traces of Hindemith abound, as in the Concerto grosso (1956) and “Prayers and Passions” and “Phantoms” movements of Joanna tentata (1971-72). The former was his breakthrough work, winning an award and international exposure. It is scored for an unconventional wind quintet – the use of the previously banned saxophone was daring – piano, percussion and strings. Symphonic Dances (1957) features a saxophone trio, is brilliantly orchestrated, more integrated in its use of material (largely folk-based) and, as annotator Merike Vaitmaa remarks, betrays his knowledge of Bartók and Tubin.

The ballet Joanna tentata (“Tempted Joanna”, 1971) is more adventurous harmonically, befitting its setting in the possessed convent in Loudon in the 1640s. Penderecki and Ken Russell in their treatments created around the same time adapted John Whiting’s play – based in turn on Huxley’s book The Devils of Loudon – centred on the unfortunate priest, Urbain Grandier. Tamberg, rather, focused on a later chapter of the sorry tale, with the arrival of another cleric, Surin, and his relationship with Joanna, based on a novella by Iwaszkiewicz. Highly evocative and atmospheric, with some “stylisations of early music”, Tamberg’s highly danceable suite is cast in seven self-contained movements. Järvi conducts with his customary flair and the Residentie Orchestra respond with commitment and aplomb. Top-notch sound, though recorded at quite a low level so you may need to turn the volume up a touch.