Rob Barnett adds a second MusicWeb International review for Hong-Mei Xiao’s English Works for Viola and Orchestra recording:
“Three works by British composers, each for viola and orchestra but only one dubbed a Concerto. Avoidance of that term is justified in the case of the Vaughan Williams which is a series of instantly engaging and artfully limned mood miniatures. As for the Bax Phantasy it could have been called a ‘Concerto’ and no-one would have blinked. … Hong-Mei Xiao has a stirring broad tone and her instrument is recorded with close-up impact. Neither does the orchestra… lack vibrant power. … The Delos Phantasy epitomises success in its surrender to Bax’s romantic sun-soaked peace (13:00-14.00) as well as his martial kinetic excitement. The performance has great torque with an eager response to the mercurial mood shifts. There is much to enjoy here. … There’s a lot going for this collection: conviction from the musicians, well documented and sporting immediate sound.”
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