The appearance of this new recording of Rubbra’s Violin Concerto is both welcome and timely, given that previous versions from Carl Pini and Tasmin Little – Unicorn-Kanchana (1/87) and Conifer Classics (10/94) respectively – are languishing in the vaults. Composed in 1959, it’s one of Rubbra’s most compelling large-scale offerings, comprising a masterly opening Allegro that finds lyrical intensity and organic growth in blissful accord, a ravishing central ‘Poema’ (whose gentle rapture harks back to the ‘Canto’ slow movement of the Sixth Symphony from 1954) and a wonderfully earthy finale, full of bracing vigour and rhythmic élan. The 1956 Improvisation for violin and orchestra also repays close inspection, a 12-and-a-half-minute essay of notable economy of thought and expressive variety that salvages material from an earlier Fantasia for violin and orchestra from the mid-1930s.

Not only is Krysia Osostowicz thoroughly steeped in the idiom (as a solo performer, leader of the Dante Quartet and member of the Endymion Ensemble, she has contributed with great distinction to Dutton Epoch’s invaluable Rubbra series) but she plays with great spirit and beauty of tone and is unfazed by any technical hurdles. No grumbles with the sensitive reading of the Improvisation, in which Osostowicz generates a stimulating rapport with Takuo Yuasa and the Ulster Orchestra. However, in the Concerto I would have preferred a touch less reserve and more in the way of songful joy from her collaborators – not to mention a greater sense of impetus in the first movement. Explicit, if slightly clinical sound.

Fortunately, the 1946 Improvisations on Virginal Pieces by Giles Farnaby show conductor and orchestra in more spontaneous, personable form, though perhaps Hans-Hubert Schönzeler’s 1976 world premiere recording with the Bournemouth Sinfonietta conveys that crucial bit extra grace and poignancy. It’s a most beguiling, concise score.

While I hope that Sony/BMG will get round to reissuing the authoritative Little/RPO/Handley account of the Concerto, this remains a very likeable and useful disc overall.