PHILIP SAWYERS (b.1951): Symphony No. 2, Cello Concerto, Concertante for Violin, Piano and Strings.

Description: Four years ago, we offered Sawyers' Symphony No. 1 (02M012) and said, among other things, "All tonal, grown-up music like what you often expect to hear on Dutton Epoch's recordings of living English composers". There's more of that here where post-Romanticism with film-score qualities rubs shoulders with a personal use of twelve-tone techniques (in the 2008 symphony, where you'll hardly know its happening, so compelling is the sweep of Sawyers' musical argument - yes! Development!  Counterpoint! No minimalist repetition here!) and with a sinister Bartókian vibe (in the 11-minute Concertante from 2006). The lyricism and passion in the 2010 concerto are gripping. May Sawyers live long and prosper. Maja Bogdanovic (cello), Steinberg Duo, Orchestra of the Swan; Kenneth Woods.