Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra/Nicholas McGegan Philharmonia Baroque Productions PBP-02 *****

Nicholas McGegan is a conductor whose platform manner and music-making often manifest an unusually infectious bonhomie. It's a hugely attractive trait to bring to the late symphonies of Haydn, works that form part of the bedrock of symphonic repertoire but often sound as if they're being presented more out of a sense of duty than love when played by symphony orchestras. Period bands, on the other hand, can make them seem like test cases for historical performance theories. McGegan's three live period-instrument performances sound effortlessly natural in expressive manner and gait. Two of the best-known symphonies, the Londonand the Clock,share the disc with the under-rated, un-nicknamed No 88. All three benefit from an approach that blends geniality and wit with deft musical cut and thrust. see url.ie/csmt