''English Music for Strings'' is the subtitle of this fine disc.
The conductor, Julian Lloyd Webber, is the brother of Andrew.
Sadly he is reported to have retired from the international concert platform after a neck injury and taken over the baton, but he still shows his great talent as cello soloist in And the Bridge is Love, composed by Howard Goodall.
This track, plus The Moon , written by father, William Lloyd Webber in 1950, and two arrangements of Elgar's Chansons, are world premiere recordings.
Other string delights include Elgar's Sospiri, and Delius' Two Aquarelles.
Vaughan Williams provides The Charterhouse Suite, Walton Two Pieces for Strings from Henry V, and John Ireland A Downland Suite No.3 Minuet.
Verdict: Sweet sounds from strings.
No longer needing a cricketer grandfather to make her famous, this Australian-born singer is set to break into international operatic fame.
She impressed Richard Bonynge (husband of the late Dame Joan Sutherland, of similar voice) who invited her to record with him and conducts the orchestra here.
It is a mixed programme, ranging from the title song My Hero (from The Chocolate Soldier operetta by Oscar Straus), Edelweiss (Rodgers and Hammerstein), Cherry Ripe and When You Wish Upon A Star, to arias by Massenet, Verdi, Bizet, Rossini, Mozart, Haydn and Handel.
This is a brilliant bel canto voice that has advanced from an earlier disc, with confident coloratura highest notes, a rich, dark mid-range and extended lower voice.
Verdict: Singer's top notes are gems.
• Geoff Adams
