The reissue of Christopher Gunning’s Discovery releases on the Signum label continues with a trio of concertos to which Edward Greenfield gave a warm welcome on its first appearance.

Although the composer draws distinction between these pieces and the more serious manner of his symphonies, there is nothing lightweight about the opening movement of the Clarinet Concerto (2005) – its expressive poise balanced by the slow movement’s ruminative pathos, before a lively finale dispels any lingering ambivalence. The inscriptions of each movement evoking time amiably passing, time standing still then time flying by make for a distinctive trajectory that the Flute Concertino (2010) amply fulfils as it proceeds from blithe charm, via inward but never impassive eloquence, to sparkling humour. Most substantial is the Guitar Concerto (2010), its subtitle indicating the general ambience of music inspired by visits to Majorca, if not the close-knit motivic subtlety that underpins the first movement or the brooding and even impulsive ambience of its successor, before the finale readily points up those Spanish origins while it alternates between unabashed verve and disarming elegance.

Superb performances by the dedicatees, abetted by the alacrity of the Royal Philharmonic’s response to the composer’s direction, ensure no less enjoyable listening almost a decade on.