Volkmar Andreae (1879-1962), the Swiss composer and conductor, is not well known athough he directed the Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra from 1906 to 1949 and was so well regarded as a conductor that he was offered the New York Philharmonic after

Mahler resigned in 1911. As a young man the musical world almost lost him to the military, and during the First World War he was often released from his duties at the Tonhalle for this purpose. He also led the Zurich Conservatorium between 1914 and 1939. His music is gracious, melodious and attractively romantic. That there is hardly an original note in his compositions will not be of great moment to those drawn to his music.

His grandson, conductor Marc Andreae, is part of a determined effort to resurrect the man’s music, backed by Guild, the record label. This CD is a part of that laudable exercise. The Piano Concerto is excellent, and will sound familiar. Those who know the Litolff Scherzo will know what I mean. The first movement, the better of the three, happily plays around in fields inhabited by Grieg and Rachmaninov. Once you get into the single movement Concert Piece, his composition becomes more radiant and freer, with a wonderful soaring melody at its heart; Brahms without the bombast.

The Violin Concerto is more thoughtful, more wistful. Altenburger plays it with dedication although I thought I detected a few slips, but not enough to interfere with my enjoyment of this delightful work. The shorter Rhapsodie is in similar vein. The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra supports the music well, it has always been numbered amongst the UK’s top ensembles and this is certainly true here. This is a perfect Christmas gift for a music lover who has everything.