Completed in 1999‚ the Cello Concerto by Stephen Watson (b1955) is a songful‚ expertly crafted offering which unashamedly harks back to the English pastoral tradition of the last century. Lasting some 33 minutes‚ it’s cast in a traditional three­movement form‚ comprising a fluent and discursive opening Moderato (whose introductory measures sow the thematic seeds for the whole work)‚ a tenderly reflective central Adagio in which the cello is accompanied by strings and harp only‚ and a sanguine finale that‚ towards the close‚ wistfully recollects the work’s opening bars. Stylistically‚ there are echoes of Moeran (with whose glorious Cello Concerto I sense a strong emotional kinship here)‚ Howells‚ Finzi‚ Havergal Brian (Watson’s imaginative brass writing exhibits a similarly craggy independence) and‚ further from home‚ Tubin and Lilburn. What Watson’s big­hearted inspiration rather lacks‚ perhaps‚ is the entrancing melodic profile and sheer staying power of‚ say‚ both the Moeran and Finzi concertos‚ though further hearings may prove me wrong – no great hardship in a performance as scrupulously dedicated as this one. Suffice it to say‚ Alexander Baillie is an eloquent proponent‚ and the Hallé Orchestra offer keen support under David Angus’s sensitive guidance. Fine production­values‚ too. This is an enterprising mid­price release‚ well worth tracking down.