RICHARD STRAUSS: Oboe Concerto. JEAN FRANCAIX: “L’horloge...

RICHARD STRAUSS: Oboe Concerto. JEAN FRANCAIX: “L’horloge de flore.” SATIE: “Gymnopedie,” No. 1. IBERT: Symphonie Concertante. John de Lancie (oboe), Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Max Wilcox, London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Andre Previn. RCA Victor Gold Seal 7989-2-RG (CD). Incredibly, this seems to be the first recording of the Strauss by the oboist who inspired the 81-year-old composer to write it. De Lancie plays with affection and understanding, and Wilcox leads his ad-hoc ensemble with sweeping vigor. To fill out the disc, RCA reaches back to a superb 1966 LP that De Lancie made with a younger, feistier Previn, with brilliant results in the delightful Francaix tone poem and the tough, neoclassical Ibert piece.