The reviews editor, sending me this CD for comment, personally found Julio Garreta’s music ‘pretty enchanting’. I do too, and also remarkably individual, delicately easy on the ear and unexpectedly ‘un-Spanish’ – in a folksy sense – for a Catalan composer who lived as recently as 1875-1925.

The Impressions simfòniques for string orchestra was written first, an early work (but by no means immature) which was not performed until 1907. Its four movements have something in common with the Tchaikovsky Serenade (although its melodies and harmonies are less ripe). It is structurally traditional, full of individuality, has a gentle, poignant cello solo at the centre of its slow movement (affectionately played here by Nabí Cabestany) but, instead of a waltz, provides a jolly, rhythmic, almost neo-classical Temps moderat third movement. The finale is certainly increasingly De pressa i apassionat.

Les illes Medes is a mature work, a long time in gestation (because of various interruptions in Garreta’s life) but was finally premiered in 1922, conducted by Pau Casals. It is a personal recollection of a visit the composer made to the beautiful coast of the Medes Islands, opening epically, then creating an idyllic evocation with bird calls from the woodwind. But the sea is ever-present; the simple, dominating main theme is soon given to the horns, and it is the horns and woodwind that provide the magical closing section. This a sea vista of a high order, which becomes more haunting as it becomes really familiar, and this beautifully played and recorded disc is increasingly rewarding.