The St Martin's Academy recording of the Boyce eight Eight Symphonys shows their familiar virtues of sweet tone, shapely phrasing and impeccable ensemble; and Sir Neville Marriner shows a good feeling for Boyce's tempos, even in most of those elusive vivace slow movements. But I find much of the orchestral articulation painfully unnatural, with studied staccatos that make the music sound toy-like and undercut its sturdy gait. In this, the Bournemouth Sinfonietta version seems considerably preferable, although some of the tempos are misconceived and the orchestral playing is altogether less polished. To anyone who wants these symphonies yet finds period instruments unpalatable, I would recommend the Thomas/CRD version; but I would more strongly urge them to try the new Pinnock/Archiv, which might well cure their irrational aversion simply because the articulation problems disappear and the music can be heard in its true colours and at its proper stature.'