Reissues

Reviewed by Malcolm Hayes

Bax Symphony No. 2, Winter Legends

Lyrita REAM 1137 (1956/78) 79:41 mins

Bax’s sophisticated scoring needs modern recording to do it justice. Still, Eugene Goossens’s powerful 1950s reading of the Second Symphony impresses, and John Mccabe is a fine soloist in Winter Legends. ★★★★ Handel Concerti Grossi, Op. 6

Harmonia Mundi HMG 507228.29 (1998) 156:27 mins Widely considered state-of-the-art on their first release, these recordings by the Academy of Ancient Music combine hyper-vivid articulation with wonderful poise and panache, plus a lovely soulfulness in the slow movements. ★★★★★

Daniel Jones Symphonies Nos 1 & 10

Lyrita SRCD 358 (1990) 69:44 mins

The clear and personable musical voice of Wales’s outstanding symphonist recalls another neglected master, New Zealand’s Douglas Lilburn. Pleasing performances by the BBC Welsh Symphony. ★★★★ Elgar • Mozart • Purcell • Haydn • Rosse

Barbirolli Society SJB 1089 (1928-29) 71:14 mins Decently cleaned-up 1920s recorded sound reveals the young John Barbirolli’s unmistakable conducting talent – less fervent than in later years, but focused and purposeful, conjuring classy playing in Elgar’s Introduction and Allegro especially. ★★★★