Maybe due the eminently symphonic contents of his film music, John Williams seems profoundly attracted to the concert world, not only referred to its more "classic" facet, but also to the study and dialogue balance between a soloist instrument and a orchestra. Already in 1969, when his name was known at popular level as a composer of comedies like Penelope (1966) or Fitzwilly (1967), Williams premiered his Flute Concerto, an experimental and avant-garde score; since then his music has going forward and matured considerably, and in the walk there was a series on concertist works of great interest: to the Flute Concerto it followed the one for Violin (1976), Tuba (1985), Clarinet (1991), Cello (1994), Bassoon (1995) and Trumpet (1996). A special interest has The Five Sacred Trees, which is no other than the Bassoon Concerto comissioned for the 150th Anniversary of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, and first performed in 1995; using as motto the celtic legends about five sacred trees, Williams musically paint a very beautiful sound landscape through a splendid dialogue between the soloist bassoon (an instrument made of wood, we musn't forget), as the voice of each one of the trees, and a huge orchestra which never buries it. In the same "nature" line, the other three symphonic pieces included (each one on his own style) give a perfect match on the wide kaleidoscope of nature and its interrelation with Man; thus, from the reciently deceased Toru Takemitsu we have Tree Line, premiered in 1988 and inspired by a line of trees which was in front of the composer's house; from prolific Alan Hovhaness his Symphony No.2, which carries the subtitle of "Mysterious Mountain", with its bright portrait of the savage american nature; and from the young new-yorker Tobias Picker we have the nostalgic Old and Lost Rivers, a quietly and beautiful score to close the record. Performance and recording at the top level, as expected.

John Williams: The Five Sacred Trees (Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra) (1995) - 25:47
Toru Takemitsu: Tree Line (1988) - 9:52
Alan Hovhaness: Symphony No.2 op.132, "Mysterious Mountain" (1955) - 16:36
Tobias Picker: Old and Lost Rivers (1986) - 4:44
Judith LeClair (Bassoon) - London Symphony Orchestra - Conductor: John Williams
SONY CLASSICAL SK62729 / 58'

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