The present collection showcases Hillborg’s typically multifaceted and wickedly good-natured humour… Dreaming River (1998) is different…its starting point the shawm-like sound of the Chinese oboe, the suona (Hillborg deploys two).          The Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra is on splendid form throughout, led by conductors who have championed these works at home and abroad. BIS’s SACD sound is typically spectacular, making this release very strongly recommended.

The five-movement sonata is featured on a disc of his piano music, performed expressively and with dexterous flair by Laura Melton, who teaches at Bowling Green State University in Ohio.

The structure, counterpoint and harmony of the sonata allude to Beethoven, Bach and Hindemith; the percussive drive shows the influence of Prokofiev. The mood of each section is aptly reflected by the titles. Jaunty rhythms are layered into a feisty canvas in “Bold and Defiant,” and slow, murky musings lend a desolate air to “Suppressed.” “Multifarious,” the densely textured finale and the longest movement, consists of a theme and variations complete with two fugues.

In the booklet notes Mr. Currier writes that even small compositional choices always leave him wondering how a score would have sounded had he made different musical decisions. In “Departures and Arrivals” (2007) he explores roads not taken, using the same materials to create six alternative versions of the same work. “A Tune,” “A Shift” and “A Dialogue” begin in a similar vein, then take different turns. In “A Transformation,” “A Dialogue” and “A Glimpse,” the process is more abstract.

In “Scarlatti Cadences” (1996), Mr. Currier views the Baroque composer Domenico Scarlatti through a contemporary prism, interspersing misty textures with sparkling, driven passages. The disc concludes on a fiery note with the witty, relentless “Brainstorm” (1994). 

It's nearly impossible for the musicians to synchronize their calendars. The launch party for yMusic's exhilarating 2011 debut album, "Beautiful Mechanical" (New Amsterdam), was delayed by more than two months so that all the members could attend. Last month, they had to hustle to make a gig at the Beacon in support of Shara Worden, better known as My Brightest Diamond. Mr. Moose and yMusic's trumpeter, C.J. Camerieri, flew in from Wisconsin, where they had been backing Bon Iver. Cellist Clarice Jensen and violist Nadia Sirota were in town and free for the moment, but reeds player Hideaki Aomori had to hurry over from Radio City Music Hall, where he's in the orchestra for the annual "Christmas Spectacular." Flutist Alex Sopp had to turn down the assignment: She was playing with members of the New York Philharmonic at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Each member's datebook is pretty much filled for 2012.

Quinney delivers finger- and foot-perfect performances.

…this makes for a very full disc but one which is highly satisfying. How fitting, too, that it is dedicated to the much-lamented David Sanger, an inspiring teacher to so many organists.