This is an elegantly packaged and well presented CD which pretty much does just what it says on the box. It is a re-release from EMI's excellent and superbly engineered back catalogue, well at this price what would you expect? The English Chamber Orchestra is ably marshalled by Sir Yehudi Menuhin, who for all his genius as a solo violinist, never really achieved top-flight status as a conductor. And alongside him the flute playing from Samuel Coles is bright and suitably mellifluous. These are pieces you will know, even if you didn't know that you knew them. Their vintage puts them at the back end of the time before period instrument performances began to dominate the market in classical music. In that sense this is a refreshingly full-bodied listen, without the up-beat tempi, straight-edged strings and honking wind and brass of 'authentic instrument' performances.
It does smack a little of Classic FM, and too much of this CD will wear down your eardrums and have you reaching for your death metal collection as an antidote. But imagine if you will a drive down country lanes under a tree canopy with a hint of blue above, fresh air, a clear road and the stereo up. Smiling music!
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