Oliver Knussen (b. 1952 in Glasgow, Scotland) is his generation"s equivalent of Boulez, except that his ideas are more youthful and appeal less to the advanced intellect. This isn"t to say that Knussen hasn"t his rough edges. But this collection highlights his shorter works for orchestra (and voice), and his inventiveness and playfulness shine through. Of note here are Flourish with Fireworks (1988, 1993), the suite to The Way to Castle Yonder (1988-90) and Music for a Puppet Court (1972-73, 1983). Whitman Settings (1991-92) for soprano and orchestra is the only disappointment here. Lucy Shelton, for all her range, makes the words incoherent. --Paul Cook