MICHAEL HURD (1928-2006): Light Music: Overture to an Unwritten Comedy, Sinfonia Concertante for Violin and Orchestra, Dance Diversions, Concerto da Camera for Oboe and Orchestra, Little Suite, Plaine and Fancie, Harlequin Suite, Pop Cantatas: Charms and Ceremonies and Hip Hip Horatio for Children's Chorus and Orchestra, Nine of Anon and A New Nowell for Unaccompanied Children's Chorus.

Description: Any lover of British Light Music will surely enjoy the hour's worth of music on the first disc here, some of it (like the slow movement of the Sinfonia Concertante) reaching surprising depths of emotion. The 75 minutes of cantatas on the second disc, all of them exemplifying Hurd's instinctive and practical understading of music for young singers, are equally delightful even if only the words to Charms and Ceremonies by the 17th century poet Robert Herrick are likely to be available free on-line. Hip Hip Horatio is derived from British naval history with the work a cooperation between Michael Blom, who wrote the texts, and Hurd, and it has the most variegated musical references to various English traditions while being, at half an hour, the longest work here. No texts. 2 CDs for the price of 1. Lorraine McAslan (violin), Nicholas Daniel (oboe), New London Children's Choir, New London Orchestra;  Ronald Corp.