A further disc of Piers Hellawell from Metronome (see 12/98, 7/02), all of pieces dating from 1998-2005 and judiciously planned as an overall programme. At its centre is Driftwood on Sand, its “main movements” – respectively brooding and capricious – each framed by four “preludes” placing them in instructive relief (and a sequence open to various permutations, as Hellawell is keen to impress upon the listener). Either side of this work for string quartet come two pieces for mixed ensemble: Weaver of Grass draws its disjunct fragments into a cumulative yet unpredictable whole, as befits its singular inspiration, while The Building of Curves draws from its two movements – the first as combative as the second is understated – a tellingly diverse unity. Framing these pieces are two orchestral works: virtuoso in its writing for trumpet and trombone, Cors de chasse feels unduly overloaded with incidental detail for the composer’s stated formal and expressive trajectory to be fully evident; something that Dogs and Wolves avoids with its breathless evocation of the “idyllic quarry”, and subtle inference of blues and folk elements in perhaps the most engaging British orchestral showpiece this decade.

The performances are as expert as one might expect from musicians with whom Hellawell has collaborated extensively over the years, with Pierre-André Valade bringing real clarity to the dense textures of the orchestral pieces. Sound is unexceptionally fine, while the composer’s own annotations offer numerous intriguing pointers to his composing. Those who are yet to make its acquaintance could certainly start here.