JEAN BALISSAT (b.1936): Sinfonietta for String Orchestra, Träumerei, Promenade avec Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Adagio molto from String Quartet No. 1, JEAN PERRIN (1920-1989): 3 pièces, Berceuse, choral et valse.

Description: It must be because the Swiss, a neutral nation, are surrounded by quite warlike peoples that they are able to keep writing such angst-filled, somber, darkly burnished and utterly compelling music for string orchestras (think of all such pieces written either by Swiss composers or for the Swiss conductor Paul Sacher). Balissat and Perrin are firmly in that line of succession, with Balissat also providing a (relatively) lighter moment with his Promenade, which does a Stravinsky-like turn for Jean-Jacques Rousseau's opera Le divin du village. Arpeggione Chamber Orchestra Hohenems; Jean-François Antonioli.