Composed in 1959, the Violin Concerto is one of Rubbra's most compelling large-scale offerings, comprising a masterly opening Allegro that finds lyrical intensity and organic growth in blissful accord, a ravishing central 'Poema' (whose gentle rapture harks back to the 'Canto' slow movement of the Sixth Symphony from 1954) and a wonderfully earthy finale, full of bracing vigour and rhythmic élan. The 1956 Improvisation for violin and orchestra also repays close inspection, a 12- and-a-half-minute essay of notable economy of thought and expressive variety that salvages material from an earlier Fantasia for violin and orchestra from the mid-1930s.
Not only is Krysia Osostowicz thoroughly steeped in the idiom but she plays with great spirit and beauty of tone and is unfazed by any technical hurdles. No grumbles with the sensitive reading of the Improvisation, in which Osostowicz generates a stimulating rapport with Takuo Yuasa and the Ulster Orchestra. However, in the Concerto one might have preferred a touch less reserve and more in the way of songful joy from her collaborators – not to mention a greater sense of impetus in the first movement.
Explicit, if slightly clinical sound.
Fortunately, the 1946 Improvisations on VirginalPieces by Giles Farnaby show conductor and orchestra in more spontaneous, personable form. It's a most beguiling, concise score. In all a very likeable and useful disc.