Posted by Ian Fraser in Luton @ 13:42 on Jan 24 2012

The first thing that strikes one about this album, is the quality of the solo playing and the opulence of the recorded sound. Playing this through my Meridian Audio system kept me glued to the seat!

There are too many soloists to begin listing, but each of them acquits themselves in the best of all possible lights. The inclusion of quartets, trios and duets on a number of tracks is a nice touch and adds variety. It would be wrong to single out one soloist from another, and on this disc it is not necessary, as all of them excel, and there is some virtuoso playing in places.

The disc ends with a spirited and expressive performance of Philip Sparke’s Concerto Grosso, a piece that should be heard far more often. For this performance alone the disc is worth having!

The percussion section are kept very busy in places, and step up to the mark without blemish, and with playing that is neat and “aware” of what is happening in the rest of the music. Tasteful is the word that comes to mind.

An excellent disc, and probably one not to be missed