A hard-edged account appropriate to Stravinsky’s clear-sighted revision, Dohnányi presenting a graphic and lucid realisation rather than a fairy-tale narrative. The lurid story that Bartók’s score depicts is also objective. Musicianship and execution is at a high level; too meticulous, maybe, and lacking greasepaint – but the sound is excellent and this CD is a fine budget-price intro to both ballets.

• Eloquence