Adrian Sutton (born 1967) writes music with wide appeal without thinking it contrived to be liked. The War Horse Orchestral Suite paints pictures, be they be poignant recollections or militaristic, a call to arms Shostakovich-style. The Violin Concerto is of sweet lyricism and spruce rhythms, and will appeal to admirers of the VCs by Barber, Menotti and, in particular, Walton, embracing a deeply-felt slow movement and spring-day Finale. Fenella Humphreys plays with warmth, to bring out the score’s rapture, and unstinting music-serving virtuosity. Short Story is in the Finzi camp, and the remaining works here confirm that Sutton writes from the heart, and has a sure instinct for the theatre. Excepting War Horse, everything here is recorded for the first time – in top-notch performances captured by Stephen Rinker’s superb sound. Chandos CHAN 20349.
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