BENJAMIN DALE (1885-1943): Suite for Viola and Piano in D, Op. 2, Phantasy for Viola and Piano, Op. 4, Introduction and Andante for 6 Violas, Op. 5.

Description: Dale's fame as a composer rests largely on his early set of viola works which were avidly championed by Lionel Tertis. Composed between 1906 and 1911, all of these works display virtuosity allied with beautiful melodic writing; the suite is a big work in three movements lasting 33 minutes in this performance and the Phantasy, in Cobbett Competition form, runs to 20 minutes, opening and closing with a very memorable tune. All these works appeared on a Dutton Epoch release in 2008 (05J071); those of you not willing to fork out $21.98 can get acquainted with them much more inexpensively now. Yuko Inoue (viola), Stephen Coombs (piano), RAM Viola Sextet.