HAYDN WOOD (1882-1959): Violin Concerto in A Minor, Adagio from Violin Concerto n B Minor, LIONEL SAINSBURY (b.1958): Violin Concerto, Op. 14.

Description: Sainsbury's 40-minute concerto of 1989, radio premiered and concert premiered by the soloist here, is a large-scale romantic concerto in the 20th century tradition of Walton, Barber and Bloch. At the 2002 public premiere, reviews included such descriptions as "teeming with bravado and bravura" (The Times), "a large scale Romantic work… fiery, passionate, emphatic, highly virtuoso, with ardent intensity and melancholy reflection" (Tempo Magazine). All true; this should be one of the most famous British violin concertos of the next 50 years if there's any justice. Purveyor of light music and popular tunes Haydn Wood also has a piano concerto in Hyperion's "Romantic Piano Concerto" series and this 1928 concerto is equally attractive with beautiful melodies and grateful work for the soloist (Wood was a violinist); the Adagio is all that remains of a 1905 concerto. Lorraine McAslan (violin), BBC Concert Orchestra; Gavin Sutherland, Barry Wordsworth (Sainsbury).