DANIEL JONES (1912-1993): Symphony No. 6, Symphony No. 9 (BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra; Bryden Thomson), The Country Beyond the Stars for Chorus and Orchestra.

Description: Dark, craggy, terse, always invested with a sense of purpose and direction, Jones' symphonies (from 1964 and 1974)don't derive from a particular school, the composer happily using bits and pieces of whatever existing "nuts and bolts" proved useful to get his point across. They are, however, all grounded in tonality, as is his earlier cantata from 1958, which sets poems by the 17th century Henry Vaughan. This is one of those typically British works which is concerned with contemplation, inspiration and the exaltation of the soul and can stand with any of the better-known 20th century composers who produced similar large-scale choral/orchestral cantatas. Texts included. Welsh National Opera Chorus, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; Sir Charles Groves. Original 1969 EMI, 1972 EMI and 1979 BBC recordings. Original 1996 Lyrita release.