Robert Farnon's enduring, and indeed endearing, contribution to the world of light music is widely celebrated; Frank Sinatra dubbed him ''the guv'nor'' in honour of his impeccable arranging skills, whilst such delightful compositions as Westminster Waltz and Peanut Polka have confirmed Farnon's reputation as an elegant master of melody. And yet remarkably little of his work has been recorded or reissued in recent years. These two new discs, therefore, are not only most welcome but also present an extremely entertaining cross-section of his output with very little duplication. In fact, only three pieces are common to both, the mock-Waltonian march State Occasion and the Delian tone poems Lake in the Woods (a reflective nocturne that does tend to outstay its welcome by roughly four minutes) and A la Claire Fontaine. Based on a French-Canadian folk-song, the latter is the most picturesque of Farnon's concert pieces, featuring beautifully limpid scoring for woodwind and a soaring string theme, which receives eloquent and satisfyingly different handling on both discs (though Leaper's is perhaps the more lovingly phrased).
The Reference CD is devoted to more of the composer's work in this vein (whereas the Marco Polo selection effectively divides its playing time between the sprightly and the impressionistic) and as a result is perhaps better enjoyed played at random rather than in one sitting. Nevertheless, there is certainly no lack of good tunes here, particularly in the Hornblower suite which not only gives us one of the most bracing seascapes from the movies, with plenty of robust horn playing from the RPO (although the performance as a whole is a little restrained in comparison with the invigorating soundtrack version), but also the delectable theme for Lady Barbara; the battle sequence, however, is less memorable. As for the remaining pieces, the delicate pastel shading of the graceful Intermezzo for harp (here receiving its first recording) immediately wins over the listener, A Promise of Spring (another premiere recording) is pure 1950s glamour, whilst the classical romantic ardour of the Rhapsody for violin (the most substantial work on this disc) is strongly characterized by Raymond Cohen, the work's original dedicatee. The recording, made in Watford Town Hall, is warm and well-detailed.
The idea of a Czech orchestra tackling such essentially British light music classics probably sounds somewhat incongruous and yet from the very first track on the Marco Polo disc (Portrait of a Flirt) they prove themselves to be unquestionably adept and idiomatic interpreters. Though they may falter occasionally, the carefree humour and abundant warmth that imbues these beloved musical gems is conveyed with obvious enjoyment. The success of their performance is undoubtedly due to the enthusiastic approach of conductor Adrian Leaper, who guides them through this sparkling programme with a refreshing lightness of touch and triumphantly coaxes from the string section that wonderfully velvety sheen that typifies Farnon's string writing. The recording may not be quite as bold as the Reference CD but it still has plenty of presence. For devotees of light music at its most captivating both discs are essential but if a choice must be made then the joyful Marco Polo issue is the one to go for.'