A pivotal work for trumpeter and percussionist is Heptade by André Jolivet (1905-74). He wrote two concertos and a number of other pieces for Maurice André, the great French musician who was to the trumpet what Rostropovich was to the cello. Heptade, composed in 1971, combines jazz influences and Jolivet’s own ritualistic approach in an explosion of technical brilliance. It makes for an impressive opening to this recital by Håkan Hardenberger and Colin Currie, who have been performing as a duo for over a decade. André’s idiosyncratically vibrant and authoritative playing remains unique, but overall I prefer Hardenberger’s more lyrical, nuanced performance. And of course, Currie is a major virtuoso.

The rest are works commissioned...