HANS GÁL (1890-1987): Symphony No. 4 (Sinfonia concertante), ROBERT SCHUMANN (1810-1856): Symphony No. 2 in C, Op. 61.

Description: This series ends with one of Gál's most sunny, lyrical and relaxed works in any genre. The octogenarian composer wanted to combine the brilliant display of four orchestral soloists (violin, cello, flute and clarinet) who both act as a group and as individuals in an updating of the concerto grosso genre. The gentle, pastoral quality is confirmed by the evocation of the commedia dell'arte characters of Columbine and Harlequine in the Scherzo leggiero and the title of the final movement - Buffoneria - which features particularly virtuosic writing for the soloists. Yet, as in Haydn, one finds that the music which first appears the simplest and most straightforward turns out to be the most sophisticated and complex. What a fine cycle this has been, even if the manner of presenting them has stirred your ire (hint: I wouldn't expect them to be re-issued on two discs anytime soon). Orchestra of the Swan; Kenneth Woods.