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However odd it sounds with Grieg's violin "concertos", I like the result! In my opinion a sonata doesn't easily transfer into a full-blown concerto in terms of length of lines, etc., but if viewed as a kind of concertinos these versions of the sonatas will be an interesting addition to any Grieg fan's library.

Being a violinist and conductor (like Svendsen), Halvorsen also made better use of the orchestra than Grieg who don't always seem at home in the orchestra soundscape. So if you want a touch of Grieg, perhaps not as inventive, but rather well written for orchestra, there's Halvorsen! Definitely, as JollyRoger said, nordic and cool, but not cold.

Someone forgot to mention Beecham/Goossens Messiah! As a listener I find the 1959 re-orchestration of Messiah to convey the same message as Händel's original version (or Mozart's re-orchestration, for that matter), I just find it a bit louder, updated and over-the-top, not unlike his original outdoor version of Music for the Royal Fireworks.

Is Beecham/Goossens still Händel? I mean yes, just capital letter Händel suited for post-romantic era ears.

While having a good time with the music of some of the aforementioned composers like Reger, Messiaen and Boulez I have but a very limited interest for Mahler, Britten and Bartok. And I still haven't learned to like Schubert, he's so... full of feelings. What's the cynic's way to Schubert?