This is one of (at present) four discs from CPO that offer the majority of the symphonies written by Louis Theodore Gouvy, a French composer born in Prussian-controlled territory and ultimately influenced by both national cultures. He never made a huge splash in France, which at that time was fixated on opera rather than purely instrumental music, and though he spent the final portion of his life in Germany, his career didn't take off there, either. These two mid-nineteenth-century symphonies are lively if ultimately rather unmemorable works, sounding to my untrained ears like a mix of Mendelssohn and Bizet. I find them a bit more distinctive than the composer's first two symphonies -- the No. 3 is particularly likable -- but while they are certainly engaging at the time, I find they fade rather quickly once I switch off the player. Still, if you enjoy travelling the less-familiar byways of Romantic Era music, this is one stop you should definitely make.