Charles Gounod was a 19th-century French composer whose opera Faust remains beloved, but his orchestral works deserve equal attention. These two symphonies show a master of melodic grace and structural clarity typical of the French romantic school. The Faust Ballet Music is effervescent and colorful, showcasing Gounod's gift for elegance and charm. Neville Marriner and the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields bring exemplary lightness and precision to this 1998 recording, letting each instrumental line sing. If you love 19th-century French symphonic music with genuine melodic gifts, this is essential.