John Foulds was one of the mystery men among British composers. Born in 1880, he died in 1939 having written a series of major works usually with an element of eccentricity, which seems to have encouraged their neglect. Where he was more immediately successful was in his lighter pieces, of which a generous sample is offered on this excellent Dutton issue, most persuasively performed by Ronald Corp and the BBC Concert Orchestra, one of the finest ensembles for this kind of repertory.

The two opening items, the Keltic Overture and Keltic Suite, directly reflect Foulds’s response to Scotland, with the overture including a theme with a Scottish snap leading to a section in hornpipe rhythm. It makes an attractive comedy overture. In a similar vein the Keltic Suite’s three movements are entitled “The Clans”, “A Lament” with a tender cello solo and a patriotic theme leading to “The Call”, an allegro in jig rhythm leading to another hornpipe.

Most of the other pieces were inspired by the composer’s travels, evocative pieces – Sicilian Aubade like a waltz, Isles of Greece and Holiday Sketches written unlike most of the rest before the First World War, so that “Festival in Nuremberg” fortunately has no hint of later Nazi associations. “Romany from Bohemia” has a flowing viola solo, “Evening in the Odenwald” has a slow cello solo beautifully played by Katharine Wood, leading finally to “Bells at Coblentz”.

An Arabian Night predictably brings a vaguely oriental-sounding piece in triple time with violin and cello solos, while the four movements of the Suite fantastique include a jolly piece in compound time entitled “Pierrette and Pierrot”, “Chanson plaintive”, “The Wayside Cross”, all tenderly lyrical, and finally the vigorous march of “Carnival Procession”. All this is beautifully recorded in clear and well balanced sound, matching the excellence of the playing. It is good that Foulds is at last receiving the recognition he so richly deserves.