David Ellis has been a major figure in British music for 50 years: he studied with Maxwell Davies, Birtwistle, Howarth, Goehr and John Ogdon who together formed the New Music Manchester group. He became a BBC producer in 1964 and in 1977 became Head of Music, BBC North. He then left to become Artistic director of the NCO. His main work now is as a CD producer - he has worked for many of the most important labels, initially as a specialist for Naxos.

His works for string orchestra are in many ways English pictures but very varied, from lighter, accessible works to densely concentrated post-Romantic styles, but always with a firm tonality and worthy to be ranked with the string writing of Moeran, Warlock and RVW.

Contents:
- Vale Royal Suite
Manchester Sinfonia / Richard Howarth

- Diversions
Northern Chamber Orchestra / Nicholas Ward

- Concert Music
Manchester Sinfonia / Richard Howarth

- Celebration
RNCM Sinfonia / Edward Downes

- September Threnody
Northern Chamber Orchestra / Nicholas Ward

- Solus
Manchester Camerata / Frank Cliff