Allied to his melodic gifts, early experiences as a sound and balance engineer equipped Trevor Duncan with a profound understanding of instrumental colour. During the 1950s he composed music that became instantly recognisable in the light music tradition. The Girl from Corsica was heard almost daily on British radio and the theme tune for the BBC TV series Dr Finlay’s Casebook remains one of his most celebrated works (it’s part of A Little Suite, heard here in full). Duncan was an inspiration for other composers, and was capable of sensuous romance, breezy scene setting, delicate tone poems and irresistible glamour.

‘This is yet another valuable addition to this richly rewarding series,’ wrote Gramophone of its initial release on Marco Polo. Fanfare added that ‘Every nuance of Duncan’s creative intentions is beautifully and idiomatically realised by Penny and his Slovak musicians. Add another gem to this indispensable series.’

Since 1992 conductor Andrew Penny has made over 50 recordings for the Naxos and Marco Polo labels. Much of the repertoire is British music and includes symphonies by Arnold and Havergal Brian, film music by Vaughan Williams and Walton, theatre music by Sullivan and Holbrooke, and light music by Coates and Arnold.

His complete cycle of Arnold’s nine symphonies was produced in time for the composer’s 80th birthday in October 2001 and became BBC Music Magazine’s top recommendation. The set has now been recently reissued on Naxos 8506041: ‘Andrew Penny is a wonderful conductor, with a real feel for Arnold’s music and well up to the technical demands in conducting them’ (The British Music Society).