Marin Alsop offers idiomatic readings of these Barber masterworks. The moving Knoxville Summer of 1915 (to the poetic introduction to James Agee's novel "A Death in the Family") combines innocence with sadness and is gently and expressively sung by Karina Gauvin. The two great Essays receive very tight, yet dynamic readings and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra handles this unusual (for it) American music with aplomb. This album is both a fine value and a very good representation of these works. The little-played Toccata Festiva provides an (appropriately) loud and "festive" conclusion!