Alison Balsom
Seraph
(EMI)
This is a quite beautifully compiled disc, not least because it does not appear "compiled" at all. Its coherent purpose is to explore the modern trumpet concerto repertoire with works by German Bernd Alois Zimmermann, Armenian Alexander Arutiunian and our own James MacMillan, these works separated by solo pieces (Takemitsu's Paths and the negro spiritual Nobody Knows De Trouble I See, which inspired the Zimmerman that closes the disc). The Scottish Ensemble plays the MacMillan (which the group co-commissioned with Perth Concert Hall and which gives the disc its title) and the BBC SSO accompanies the soloist on the other concertos, so the global reach of the music has a very Scottish flavour. As such this album is a great advert for the musicianship round these parts, but its prime purpose is to showcase the virtuoso soloist on expertly chosen repertoire, beautifully recorded. The MacMillan is a lovely work (particularly the second movement), but everything here is well worth hearing, and Balsom is a player in her prime.
Keith Bruce
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