A vivid live recording of the perennial classic, let down a little by the narration. Though not without nuance, it’s borderline hollered in places.

It’s compelling and virtuoso, if very austere. Given its rhythmic complexity, performing the work without a conductor can be tricky, but the ensemble is superbly taut here, exacting yet fierce in its precision and clarity…There’s a comparable sharpness of focus to Sinclair’s narration, too, where the satirical element is strongly to the fore.

This is a terrific performance that grips the listener from first to last. The frisson of it being recorded live helps immeasurably, coupled with the razor-edge precision of the LSO Chamber Ensemble, directed from the violin by Roman Simovic. The playing is often very dry – perfect for Stravinsky’s score. Malcom Sinclair’s narration succeeds in its variety of timbre and, indeed, regional accents. The recording (Jerwood Hall) is remarkably present. Recommended.