STANLEY BATE (1911-1959): Cello Concerto (World Premiere Recording), ARNOLD BAX (1883-1953): Cello Concerto.

Description: This is the sixth orchestral work by Bate to appear since January of 2009 and the first not on Dutton Epoch as, hopefully, his reputation begins to expand at least in his native land. Dating from 1953, it just precedes the Fourth Symphony (01M001) whose unease and anxiety is nowhere present in this three-movement work of 22 minutes. Lyricism is the word here, a full-sized orchestra being used sparingly and the spotlight almost always on the soloist, and the soloist here produced the score and parts specifically for this recording so it would be churlish to complain that this should have been an all-Bate disc, wouldn’t it? Lionel Handy (cello), Royal Scottish National Orchestra; Martin Yates.