OUR CHOICES
The BBC Music team’s current favourites
The recent spell of good weather has inspired me to investigate Sallinen’s Sunrise Serenade (1989), performed by the Finnish Chamber Orchestra under Okko Kamu on BIS. Despite its stark opening on two trumpets, the piece becomes more animated as swaying strings herald the emerging day’s goings-on. In the final bars, the gentle melody ebbs away, replaced by an expected, ominous finish.
Elinor Cooper Editorial assistant
I recently came across a collection of British folk songs called Down by the Sea. Performed by Blossom Street Choir, the album combines beautiful modern arrangements by contemporary composers with more established ones by Holst and Vaughan Williams. The choir sing with a light touch perfectly suited to the simplicity of this music.