A symphony is classified by most musical dictionaries as an extended work written in the Western Art Music tradition, most often in four movements. So what happens when a composer throws out a part of that definition and instead creates an epic extended work in one movement? Still written for a full symphony orchestra, it’s almost like it’s the movie version instead of a TV series that’s been broken into distinct, but related parts. And sometimes, all you want is a movie.

This album by the Kansas City Symphony is a beautiful rendering of three of these works that are each truly delightful in their own way. Only 39 years old, the Kansas City Symphony sounds warm, delicate and sophisticated beyond its years. They bring all the soaring joy of the Finnish countryside to Sibelius’ Symphony No. 7 while Barber’s Symphony in One Movement is more dramatic and Scriabin’s Symphony No. 4 is a symphonic poem more often known as Le Poème de l’extase or Poem of Ecstasy. Rhythmically ambiguous and with the tonality derived from Scriabin’s ‘mystic chord’ (a fascinating concept in its own right, well worth reading about), it’s a fitting finale to this splendid album.

Kate Rockstrom is a friend of Readings.