Make a recording of two of Mozart’s three flute concertos? For Helena Macherel, it felt like an obvious thing to do. “How could one say no to such an offer?” The patron of the arts, now deceased, who backed her for years, encouraged her in this direction. “I’m not looking for originality at any price, just to let myself be carried away by the beauty of the music, in a quest for truth and authenticity.” To achieve this, she can count on the accompaniment of English musicians well-versed in this kind of challenge: the London Mozart Players, whose experienced members provide not only the ensemble’s conducting but also the chamber partners for the Quartet in D major. “Far from coming up with a fixed vision of the works, I have, on the contrary, encouraged dialogue and exchange with them, and I am delighted with the spirit of freedom that permeates these recordings.”

Hubert Parry (1848-1918), regarded by many (including Edward Elgar) as the finest English composer since Purcell, and as the father of the modern English tradition, is best known for his hymn Jerusalem (immortalised by the Women’s Institute and English cricket supporters alike!). His anthem I was glad, written for the coronation of Edward VII, in 1902, has been used also at the coronations of George V, Elizabeth II, and Charles III (who is a proclaimed fan of Parry’s music).

Howard Shelley continues his survey of Hummel's works for piano and orchestra and this disc features the premiere recording of Le Retour à Londres.