p>Alwyn: Chamber works – City of London Sinfonia, Richard Hickox‘Autumn Legend (1954) is a highly atmospheric tone-poem, very Sibelian in feeling. So too is the Pastoral Fantasia, yet the piece has its own developing individuality. A fine performance, with Stephen Tees highly sympathetic to the music’s fluid poetic line. The Tragic Interlude is a powerful lament for the dead of wars past. But the highlight of the disc is the Lyra Angelica. A radiantly beautiful, extended piece (just over half an hour in length) inspired by the metaphysical poet Giles Fletcher’s Christ’s victorie and triumph. The performance here is very moving, and the recording has great richness of string tone and a delicately balanced harp texture. Rachel Masters’s contribution is distinguished. This is the record to start with for those beginning to explore the music of this highly rewarding composer.’

Penguin Guide