Lewis Foreman's excellent notes for this relaxing disc bring us quite close to the rather unassuming life of Robin Milford whose music receives a well deserved revival here. The idiom is typical British Light Music, although there are some touches of classical influences such as Delius and Holst although there is a lot of originality in these beautiful pieces.
The most original work here, at least to me, is the suite, 'Go little book', a wonderfully lithe evocation of literary fantasy with the soothing voice of Carys Lane adding character to proceedings. I also enjoyed the raucous Festival Suite which is also filled with beauty and evocation especially in the reflective 'Siciliana'. The Guildhall Strings bring an earthy mellifluousness to this always very accessible music with the lovely Elegiac Meditation a typical case in point.
Excellent stuff then and highly recommended to the discerning lover of British Light Music. Hyperion should turn to more forgotten English composers of this sort who deserve a much better fate.
Copyright © 2004, Gerald Fenech