A rather ungainly coupling of two previously issued sets of performances, this 2008 Lyrita disc joins
Norman del Mar and the
English Chamber Orchestra's 1970 recording of Nicholas Maw's Sinfonia with the
Philip Jones Brass Ensemble's 1974 recording of three British brass works: John Addison's Divertimento and
John Gardiner's Theme and Variations, both for brass quartet, and Stephen Dodgson's Sonata for brass quintet. Maw's Sinfonia is a serious post-modernist work in tone and scale with a particularly searching central "Threnody," while Addison,
Gardiner, and Dodgson's works are temperamentally more neo-classical, with witty themes, light tempos, and cute effects. Both sets of performances are fine in their different ways.
Del Mar and the
English Chamber Orchestra are dedicated, though perhaps more dutiful than enthusiastic, while the
Philip Jones Brass Ensemble sounds as dedicated but much more cheerful about its assignment. Fans of British music will like both halves of the program, but those who are less fond of post-modernism may find themselves skipping the Maw, while those who are less fond of brass music may find themselves pausing after the Maw.
Maw's Sinfonia, originally recorded by Lyrita, sounds deep and detailed, but a bit dry. Originally recorded by Decca, the three brass works sound much more colorful and vivid.