NICHOLAS MAW (b.1935): Sinfonia (English Chamber Orchestra; Norman Del Mar. Rec. Oct. 1970), JOHN ADDISON (1920-1998): Divertimento for Brass Quartet, Op. 9, JOHN GARDNER (b.1917): Theme and Variations for Brass Quartet, Op. 7, STEPHEN DODGSON (b.1924): Sonata for Brass Quintet (all Rec. Dec. 1974).

Description: Maw's 1966 Sinfonia is the only orchestral work here and, if you liked his sonata for two horns and strings offered on Lyrita last month, you'll find the same sense of suppressed energy, a post-Romantic use of tonality (astringent, somewhat neo-classical in the Stravinsky vein) and an always expressive voice. The brass pieces are easily approachable (Addison and Gardner, both from 1951) while Dodgson (1963) is more serious and formal, yet still quite tonal and approachable. Original 1971 and 1975 Argo LP releases.