Now that inquisitive music lovers know so much more about the work of Saint-Saëns’ contemporary Louise Farrenc, we also know that for conservatively minded French composers of the mid-19th century Beethoven was the model for symphonic composition, as both symphonies on this album testify.

As in their previous volume, the symphony which opens the disc is more compelling than the one which closes it. The Symphony No 1 (the composer was 18) is shapely, beautifully orchestrated and full of lovely ideas; the...