In this week’s Chronicle we report on a young musician’s plans to bring good modern classical music to this area, and a couple of recent releases from Divine Art would seem to be ideal for pressing the case of modern (ish) classical music. This album, launched last week, is a delight.

It includes works by Claude Arrieu, Jean Françaix, Jacques Ibert, Eugène Bozza, Frank Bridge and Richard Rodney Bennett, and it champions music for wind quartet — London Myriad features flute, oboe, clarinet and bassoon.

The music is sprightly and lively, even during the slower sections, and quite jolly. It’s perhaps a little too gentle to be called uplifting, but it’s entertaining throughout. In places it reminded us of the music for an old children’s television show, Pogles’ Wood or even The Clangers, creating the atmosphere of a wood that’s a bit dark but full of friendly characters (or a small planet with dragon dispensing soup at its core). There’s nothing intimidating on this collection.

Four is the first of a larger project involving two recordings, the second of which — Four|2 — will offer a full recording of commissioned works from living composers.

“London Myriad will be providing a whole new set of musical resources for pure listening and enjoyment alongside a comprehensive resource for other musicians out there to discover new excellent music written by composers alive today,” says the band’s website.

This is out on Divine Art’s Metier label, MSV 28587.

 

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