Visiting ducks Encounters with a recorder quartet, by BASIL RAMSEY BIS    BIS-CD-1112

As professional recorder playing goes this group is adventurous and nimble with it. The programme -- ducks notwithstanding -- puts us completely in the dark, only to dawn as we listen and allow our ears to pick up and absorb at least some of the variety of styles, all linked with today. The group has to provide the composers with an authentic sounding board.

On that premise there is no doubt that Sirena plays well and obviously interprets the music to the composers' satisfaction. At that point we as listeners enter this territory and judge with our ears. We are not talking safe and comfortable music but that which is expressed by creators drawing music out of whatever source they choose, and influenced by the general environment.

Personal choice becomes essential in such a variety of music. I, for instance, particularly enjoy Meijering's Sitting Ducks [listen -- track 1, 0:20-1:20] and Ryohei Hirose's Idyll 1 [listen -- track 5, 0:50-1:50]. That choice does not imply shortcomings with the rest. All of it is from composers who know how to project music with capable performers.

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Record Box is Music & Vision's regular Wednesday series of shorter CD reviews