Neglected symphonies: Lepo Sumera – Symphonies Nos. 1 & 6

This kind of thing – short-winded surface detail masking longer-term stasis – can result some fine symphonies in the right hands: Kancheli’s, for example, or most of Schnittke’s. You’re right, though: Sumera doesn’t have anything like their dramatic flair – or even their basic memorability. I’d describe him as a less blustering Tabakov – and that, from me, you’ll know is a real insult…