Sympathetic Readings Orchestral music by Barbara Harbach, reviewed by PATRIC STANDFORD MSR Classics    MS 1252

Dr Harbach is known as an organists and harpsichord performer -- her performance of Bach's Goldberg Variations was released on Gasparo Gallante in 2002, and she has championed composers writing new pieces for the harpsichord -- and yet her own orchestral compositions are light weight and lacking in a sense of cohesion that seems to leave the listener impressed by the obvious technical command, especially of orchestration, and at the same time frustrated by its aimless amiability.

On this first recording of orchestral works there is a three-movement 'symphony' called Veneration celebrating Venus, the spirit of love, beauty and desire. Though not particularly 'symphonic', it flows well and leaves a pleasant impression. Its third movement is titled Grace: Pleasure Heart.

Three pieces for violin and orchestra called Frontier Fancies consist of a lively display in Fiddleflirt, an atmospheric Twilight Dream, slightly reminiscent of Ketèlby

and a Dancedevil tarantella that sounds good to play.

A Rhapsody Jadine for oboe and strings is lavishly described as lush, exotic, and with 'aromatic counterpoint' -- which is an interesting concept -- and there is a short piece for strings called Arcadian Reverie which again proves the composer adept in improvisatory indulgences, all being quite gentle, even to the disruption of a 'frolicking fugue'.

The other substantial piece on the disc is One of Ours -- A Cather Symphony, inspired by Willa Cather's 1922 First World War novel. The three movements are On Lovely Creek described as an American pastorale; Autumn in Beaufort, 'a charming interlude in the War'; and Honor at Boar's Head, a memorial to the many who died.

Sadly one comes to the end of the CD feeling the effect of a pleasant yet unmemorable experience. Kirk Trevor is the enterprising English conductor who has assisted much of our discovery of unfamiliar composers, and with his sympathetic readings allowed us the opportunity to assess many interesting new musical experiences.

Record Box is Music & Vision's regular series of shorter CD reviews