ZDENEK LUKAS (b.1928): Viola Concerto, Op. 185, Divertimento for Violin and Viola, Op. 96, Meditation for Viola and Piano, Op. 116, JIRÍ JAROCH (1920-1986): Fantasy for Viola and Orchestra.

Description: Unlike the Music for Harp above, this 1893 concerto by Lukas breathes the modal air of folk music although it does not use authentic folk motifs. Rather, it reminds us of both Vaughan Williams and the gorgeous Stanley Bate viola concerto which came out on Dutton Epoch last year. Jaroch's 14-minute Fantasy also uses a modal system but is a bit sharper and more unsettled than Lukas' concerto. Karel Spelina (viola), Antonín Novák (violin), Josef Hála (piano), Plzen Radio Symphony Orchestra; Vít Micka, Bohumír Liska.