This Christmas Night: Worcester College, Oxford, Choir; Stephen Farr

RES 10113            75.59

In a world full of the conventional Christmas recording this comes as a breath of fresh air.

Details to follow

Jacques-Francois Gallay; works for natural horn

Anneke Scott, natural horn

RES  10114           72.39

This really is a rarity. A whole CD of solo works for natural horn – and one which is surprisingly easy to listen to. If the range is naturally limited, the musical invention is not and is well worth the investment of time to get to know these rare compositions.

Baroque Chamber Works

Fantasticus

RES 10112            66.38

A pleasant collection of works, ranging from Stradella to Buxtehude, played by Rie Kimura, baroque violin, Robert Smith Viola da gamba/baroque cello and Guillermo Brachetta, harpsichord. The works all originate from the late 17^th century stylus fantasticus

In the Dark

Platinum Consort; Scott Inglis-Kidger

RES 10110            58.04

All of the music on this CD is drawn from the Tenebrae tradition of scores written specifically for the last three days of Holy Week. Works range across national boundaries to include Anerio, Lotti, Victoria Lassus and Purcell. It also includes a recent works by Richard Bates and James Macmillan. Bates’ In the Dark is a gentle setting of an Easter verse by the Elizabeth poet George Gascoigne, while his Tenebrae follow the Latin text. The concluding Miserere by Macmillan is both moving and devotional.

The vocal balance is striking throughout. Though the ensemble includes two counter-tenors which give a suitably early music feel to the recording, the addition of two soprano voices adds an unexpected richness and warmth.

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Stanford; Finzi; Arnold

BBC Symphony Orchestra, Michael Collins

CHANDOS CHAN 10739        65.45

These three romantic concertos work well together. Stanford is still overlooked given his position as a major composer of the late 19th -early 20th century, too easily swamped by endless performances of Elgar. His concert dates from 1902 though it was not published until 1976. Its single movement is tightly structured and flows with a lively enthusiasm throughout.

Gerard Finzi’s concerto, for clarinet and strings, comes from 1948 and is more reflective in nature. The pastoral slow movement is particularly effective and given a warmly sympathic performance here by soloist Michael Collins.

Malcolm Arnold’s concerto from 1974 is probably the least familiar item on the disc, and with its dedication to Benny Goodman is a world away from the earlier works. The jazz influence is carried over into the cadenza, which is by Richard Rodney Bennett, and the playing walks a tight-rope between jazz and romantic idioms. Jazz eventually wins out and the final movement is a riot of big-band and swing, tweeked by an often sentimental indulgence. A delight! BH

Halle Orchestra & Chorus; Sir Mark Elder

CD HLD 7534   65.08; 49.21

This recording was made live in the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, in May this year, and the performance was repeated at this summer’s Proms. As such it reflects the reivew which I wrote at the time and which is published under national reviews. Sir Mark Elder brings a surprising lightness of touch to the work, which is helped by the youthful voices, particularly of the apostles themselves.

We have not had a recent recording of The Apostles which makes this a valuable undertaking. BH

The Sixteen, Harry Christophers

CORO COR 16103              73:36, 48:19, 40:44

Saul is one of the earliest of Handel’s oratorios and has not fared as well over the years, being remembered mainly for its funeral march. This is a pity for it is a magnificent score and here gets a superlative performance. Most impressive is the lightness of touch with Harry Christophers brings to the score. There is a high sense of dramatic action in process, with the clash between Christopher Purves’ Saul and Sarah Connolly’s David at its heart. Numbers are never rushed but there is a sense of inevitability about the narrative which carries us swiftly towards its tragic climax. Handel not only draws on the organ continuo to fine effect but includes a carillon for special effects.

The Sixteen have a strong vocal line-up with many soloists in the making, and bring vivacity and joy to their choral items. BH

BBC Symphony Orchestra, Jirí Belohlávek

CHANDOS CHSA 5109     79:32

It is all too easy to miss concerts on Radio 3 even if one uses the internet service, so it is good that some of the best are still being issued on CD. This recording, dating from earlier this year, brings together two reasonably unfamiliar works by Suk. I heard A Summer’s Tale in Prague a few years ago and was glad to be reacquainted with it. The late romanticism of the scoring is captivating throughout and Jirí Belohlávek has an innate feel for the dance rhythms which underpin it.

Prague is a more extrovert work and one which would easily fit into the most conservative of concert programmes. Perhaps we could persuade somebody to put in into next season? BH