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