After recent releases devoted to David Hackbridge Johnson and Steve Elcock, Toccata Classics now rescues another British symphonist from oblivion. Rodney Newton (b. 1945) earned his living as an orchestral timpanist and percussionist, becoming known primarily for his works for brass bands. Until now his substantial output for orchestra has remained completely unknown. This first recording of two early symphonies reveals a composer with a strong sense of melody, drama and colour, in the tradition of such earlier British symphonists as Vaughan Williams and Arnold. The tone poem Distant Nebulae, inspired by Charles Ives’s The Unanswered Question, reflects the vastness of the heavens in music of understated beauty and elegance.

Paul Mann is a regular guest conductor with many orchestras throughout Europe, the USA, Australia and the Far East. He enjoyed a famous collaboration with the legendary rock group Deep Purple and was a close friend of its keyboard player, Jon Lord. He first came to international attention as first prizewinner in the 1998 Donatella Flick Conducting Competition, as a result of which he was also appointed assistant conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra. He made his LSO debut soon afterwards, and subsequently worked frequently with the Orchestra, both in the concert hall and recording studio. Among his more recent recordings is a live recording of Celebrating Jon Lord, a special concert which took place at the Royal Albert Hall in April 2014 with an all-star cast paying tribute to the late composer. This is the latest fruit of his collaboration with Toccata Classics – their eleventh recording together.