Catching Up on Some Early Richard Strauss

At his "Remnants of Romanticism" concert with the American Symphony Orchestra earlier this month, conductor-musicologist Leon Botstein revived Richard Strauss's early Symphony in F Minor (Op. 12), which was a surprisingly delight with its Mendelssohnian scherzo and echoes of Bruckner in the finale.  I had never previously heard this work and promptly sought out a recording.  How could I have missed the wonderful performance by Neeme Jarvi and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, recorded by Chandos in 1992 and reissued on its mid-price Chandos Classics label in 2004?  In addition to fine work in the symphony, Jarvi offers two "fillers" that are more than mere fillers: a sumptuous performance of the equally early (Op. 13) Romance for Cello and Orchestra, well played by Rafael Wallfisch, and the six songs on verses of Brentano, OP. 68, sung with much feeling by soprano Eileen Hulse.  The entire program of 76 minutes is so solidly romantic that one just wants to wallow!  A bit belatedly on my part, highly recommended!