These are spirited and well-recorded versions of what probably remain Spohr's most popular works. The Nonet is freshly and attractively played, with a proper sense of chamber music informing the performance: that is to say, there is a companionable approach to phrasing, with ideas taken up and returned or passed on as if the players were really listening to one another rather than waiting to say what they were going to say anyhow. Only in the finale do matters become a touch competitive: it is not necessary to go at quite such a speed, and indeed the feeling is of pace rather than the real liveliness which only a very slightly easier tempo might have produced; while some of the string articulation is only just in position. The Adagio is beautifully played, and together with the nimble Scherzo is given a gentle serenade manner: nothing is gained, and sometimes all lost, by trying to make something too profound of these movements.

This disc, recorded in 2001, revisits an earlier recording made by the same group for ASV. This newer recording immediately impresses by its particularly faithful recording quality with the bass end of the instruments firmly placed but without undue prominence. This avoids any suggestion of bass heaviness leading to resonance or booming and allows the whole ensemble to benefit from a proper aural foundation. This sort of recorded accuracy is not as easy to achieve or as common to experience as one might hope so it deserves a special mention.