Paul Watkins (cello), BBC SO/ Edward GardnerChandos CHSA 5106 ***

This cross-section of Lutoslawski’s orchestral music begins well with a vital account of the brightly-coloured Little Suite of 1950. There is an excitingly lurid quality to the Second Symphony of 1967, whether it finds itself locked in pools of stasis, whirling with a gabbling energy, or exploding in all directions like some kind of musical armament.

Edward Gardner paints it all in vivid style. Paul Watkins doesn’t capture in full the dramatic trajectories and dialogues of the 1970 Cello Concerto, one of the most fascinating concertos of its time.

He is rather more persuasive in the orchestration of short 1982 Grave for cello piano, whether the writing is subdued or highly energised. url.ie/f1f2