This recording brings together three works of the kind that the guitar needs most – substantial pieces, written by prominent composers who do not or did not play the instrument and were thus creatively unrestricted by undue deference to its idiosyncrasies – write the music first, then check its technical feasibility with a performer.

Britten and Tippett received Knighthoods for their contribution to 20th-century British music, and their close friendship was honoured in a series of concerts in London in 1986. Though each had previously written songs with guitar accompaniment, the works here recorded were and still are their only ones for guitar solo – and both were dedicated to Julian Bream.

MICHAEL TIPPETT

1-3. The Blue Guitar:Sonata for Solo Guitar

BENJAMIN BRITTEN

4. Nocturnal

5-12. Nocturnal after John Dowland, Op. 70

R. MURRAY SCHAFER

13-18. Le Cri de Merlin