All these pieces date from late in Max Bruch’s career, 1911. They make an attractive grouping, which is markedly more apt than other couplings for the Double Concerto, which has been recorded a number of times. Like other Bruch concertos it starts with a slow movement, an Andante in which as well as echoing each other the solo instruments play in “gypsy style”, a third apart. The second-movement Allegro moderato is a lyrical interlude, followed by the finale, Allegro molto, which arrives in quite a different style with a fanfare of trumpets and drums before rounding off the work brilliantly.

The clarinettist, Jean-Luc Votano, emerges as the leader of the group, playing with the widest dynamic range down to the gentlest, most magical pianissimos. The Romance for viola and orchestra, just under nine minutes long, gives the viola player, Arnaud Thorette, a chance to shine on his own. It proves the gem of the collection, for though the Double Concerto is attractively lyrical throughout, the Romance is even warmer in its lyricism, with a pianissimo reprise of the main subject which Thorette plays exquisitely.

The Eight Pieces are far rarer. They offer a sequence of duets for the two solo instruments, with attractive contrasts between the pieces in what is obviously intended to be played as a single work, rather than as separate items. The longest of the eight is the third, with Votano, as in the Concerto, playing with a wonderful pianissimo. Sadly the booklet-notes offer no more than minimal information: it would be hard to find a note that involved as much uninformative flannelling. Otherwise this Belgian disc is excellent in every way, a welcome addition to the catalogue, very well recorded.