The Guildhall String Ensemble's first record appeared last December, when in collaboration with George Malcolm at the harpsichord they accompanied Michala Petri in Vivaldi concertos (RCA RL86656; (1) RD86656). Now this group of former Guildhall School of Music students have the chance to shine on their own under their regular violinist/director, Robert Salter. The impression conveyed is not so much that of an ensemble controlled by one mind, but of I I gifted musicians, each of whom has a distinctive contribution to make. This is not to suggest anything other than a common sense of purpose in the playing, or that there is any lack of discipline, but that the performances have that certain quality of colour and character peculiar to chamber musicmaking. The only drawback is that sometimes one would wish for a bigger body of tone in works which were all conceived in terms of at least a small string orchestra.

It is good to have one or two unusual items in a programme which mostly contains what might be called English string favourites. So instead of Elgar's Serenade we have a group of five little pieces by this composer which have been rescued by Percy Young from sketches for a late and unfinished opera. Not vintage Elgar, by any means, but charming nevertheless and very attractively played. Then there are sympathetic performances of two typically grave, wistful Finzi pieces, rare items indeed in the concert hall, but familiar to many English music enthusiasts through Boult's recordings (Lyrita). Ireland originally composed A Down/and Suite as a test piece for brass band, and later arranged two of the movements for string orchestra. I rather wish that the ensemble had included the beautiful "Elegy" in its programme as well as the "Minuet", for it brings a good sense of style to the latter piece. There is space left only to say the Hoist and Warlock suites are spiritedly played, and that there is an authentic flavour to the Delius and Walton pieces.

I hope we shall hear this group on record again soon, for they play very well indeed, and with a good deal of personality. The recording quality is attractively warm and vivid.

-- Gramophone [9/1988]