As soon as the first track of this interesting compilation
CD begins, it is clear that it will give much enjoyment. Carlo Martelli's
five-minute long Persiflage has a dramatic opening gesture, and
then maintains the interest it has created. The Naxos recording is bold
and direct, and contributes fully to the effect created by the excellent
strings of the Royal Ballet Sinfonia.
The best known composers featured on this enterprising
programme are Finzi and Holst. The two Finzi items both represent the
more lyrical side of his style, whereas Holst's delightful Brook Green
Suite has three short movements organised in the traditional fast-slow-fast
design. David Lloyd-Jones plays the central Air very much at a flowing
tempo, thereby missing some of its poetry, and his outer movements are
on the fast side too. But this remains an engaging performance if it
does not erase memories of Imogen Holst's recording for Lyrita with
the English Chamber Orchestra.
Haydn Wood has enjoyed something of a resurgence with
the greater interest in light music which has developed during the last
ten years. And quite right too, for his infectiously rhythmic 18th Century
Scherzo makes an immediate and pleasing impression. Equally enjoyable
is another five-minute miniature, William Blezard's Duetto, which is
in fact a tuneful canon introduced by a skilfully placed passage of
pizzicato. This offers a particularly interesting balance between technique
and inspiration.
The central Lento espressivo movement of Bruce
Montgomery's charming Concertino is given the full treatment by Lloyd-Jones
and his players, to winning effect, while the finale is appropriately
energetic. For me, however, the highlight of the programme is the Sinfonia
Concertante by Michael Hurd, in which Robert Gibbs is the accomplished
violin soloist. Again there are three movements, and again there is
a beautifully lyrical movement at the centre.
Robert Gibbs (violin) (Hurd)