Bridge and Britten - Various pieces

THERE'S nothing better than to hear English music played at its best. And, for many, there's just nothing better than English music anyway.

Frank Bridge and Benjamin Britten are two composers who present to perfection the gaiety, charm and wit of this island race.

There's a wonderful jauntiness about this stylish CD and to hear it being captured so well by Norwegians Oystein Birkeland (cello) and Vebjorn Anvik (piano) is an added delight.

Bridge's Cello Sonata is presented with tremendous class. There is tender restraint as required and tuneful intimacy to add that important dash of musical balance.

Eight Bridge miniatures follow the sonata and here also there is style in abundance.

Serenade, penned in 1903, is as fresh-faced as ever and Scherzo (1902) adds some cheeky humour for listeners to enjoy. Those who truly relish the very Englishness of Bridge's works will be charmed also by Meditation, Spring Song, Berceuse, Elegie, Melodie and Cradle Song.

Frank Bridge enthusiasts are recommended to give this offering some space in their collection.

The Norwegians form an inspired partnership in Britten's Cello Sonata too.

They're painstakingly observant in their reading of this fine work and their performances are thoughtful and intense.

Britten composed his sonata for Rostropovich in 1960, and the opening bars are a fine tribute to these two composers.

The sound quality on this CD is beautiful and the whole thing's engineered to perfection.

It's refreshing to know that the charm and calm of the English scene can still be captured with such sensitivity.

There's much to enjoy in this piece and Birkeland and Anvik are shown to be great advocates of Bridge and Britten.

Simax, PSC1160