Mike Batt triumphs in delivering a performance of considerable insight and stature. The approach is fresh and spontaneous, but never overrides the deeper meaning in the work. The sound quality remains outstanding, as do the performances. Here is a real musician at work, and the orchestra responds magnificently. Thoroughly recommended.

Mars’ oozes menace, and Jeff Bryant’s horn solo at the outset of ‘Venus’ is delicious. Batt keeps ‘Mercury’ aloft, and the big tune in Jupiter’ is refreshingly free of bombast. ‘Uranus’ has plenty of black humour, the organ nicely audible near the close.