Here are exemplary performances of four fine British clarinet concertos‚ each of which is notable for its strongly communicative spirit‚ appealing economy of thought and impeccable craftsmanship. I was particularly taken with the concerto that John McCabe completed in 1977 for Janet Hilton when she was principal clarinet with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Cast in four interlinked movements and scored for small orchestra‚ it’s a marvellously invigorating‚ always purposeful creation‚ full of the most engaging interplay between the soloist and her orchestral colleagues. A strong vein of fantasy also illuminates the progress of Alun Hoddinott’s Second Concerto (1986)‚ another compact creation in just two movements‚ whose opening Andante exhibits a craggy lyricism and bardic mystery that contrast strikingly with the playful exuberance of the Presto finale. Born in Somerset in 1941‚ Edward Harper has taught at Edinburgh University and played a major role in Scottish musical life for well over three decades. His 1982 concerto makes consistently rewarding listening‚ comprising a haunting Passacaglia (whose plangent lyricism has something of that unmistakably Scottish‚ ‘keening’ quality one finds in MacMillan) that leads without a break into a virtuosic Rondo (conceived as a tribute to Weber). That just leaves Elizabeth Maconchy’s Concertino of 1984‚ a delectably pithy essay in three movements which packs plenty of sparky invention into its mere eight­minute span. Needless to report‚ Janet Hilton plays with characterful skill and unstinting dedication throughout; Rumon Gamba and the BBC Scottish SO provide ideal support. Good‚ if rather unglowing sound. Hilton herself contributes the highly informative and personable booklet­notes. Altogether a most enterprising and enjoyable survey.