Lyrita

Tate’s firmly-structured score employs a lyrical, natural arioso, intensifying into more formal arias, duets and ensembles at emotional touch-points. Her style is darkly tonal, in the manner... — Opera, March 2016 More…

The first of Arnold Cooke's five symphonies was completed in 1947 and premiered under Sir Adrian Boult in a BBC broadcast two years later.
At first glance both the home tonality and formal plan... — Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010 More…

Maw’s Sinfonia (1966) is a superb half-hour essay, scored for small orchestra but big in every other way. Its inspiration seems to be the gently rocking motif used by Britten to link movements... — Sunday Times, 3rd August 2008, 3 out of 5 stars More…

The clear and personable musical voice of Wales’s outstanding symphonist recalls another neglected master, New Zealand’s Douglas Lilbrun. Pleasing performances by the BBC Welsh Symphony. — BBC Music Magazine, August 2018, 4 out of 5 stars More…

Berkeley was typical of the English composers whom Lyrita championed in the 1970s, and this beautifully planned collection introduces some of the most elegant and enjoyable music that he ever... — Penguin Guide, 2011 edition More…

These are strong and important works that repay familiarity. The Performances by the BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra and Thomson are finely realised, alive to their rhythmic intricacies and growing... — Gramophone Magazine, Awards Issue 2017 More…