COMPOSERS: Strauss
LABELS: Hyperion Dyad
WORKS: Sonatina No. 1 in F; Sonatina No. 2 in E flat; Suite in B flat, Op. 4; Serenade in E flat, Op. 7
PERFORMER: London Winds/Michael Collins
CATALOGUE NO: CDD 22015 1992
Sixty years separate the youthful Suite and Serenade from the two Sonatinas composed during the darkest years of the Third Reich. Yet all the works on this disc demonstrate a remarkable consistency of outlook, with Mozart remaining the most potent musical influence. Competition in this repertoire is pretty formidable, with distinguished recordings from the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe; but the London Winds are second to none in terms of technical accomplishment, expressive commitment and warmth
of timbre.