A recent trip to the newly stocked cut out bin at Tower (my beloved employer) led me to some of the music of Alberic Magnard. My initial interest in this composer was sparked when he got a considerable mention in a Debussy bio that I was reading. The cut out bin delivered the following: Sonata for cello and piano, op 20 played by Thomas Demenga and Christoph Keller Promenades for piano, opus 7 (Mr. Keller) Accord 220562 String quartet in e minor, opus 16 Artis Quartet of Vienna Accord 220602 These discs have made a good impression on me as they have been given repeated playings in the last week or so, which is pretty unusual at my house. I was pleased to find in the store playstack a recent recording on BIS of the 2nd and 4th symphonies played by the Malmo orchestra under Thomas Sanderling. I was only able to listen to the second, but was quite taken by its rich harmonies and lyric beauty. Quite a fine work indeed on first impression. I would like to explore all of the symphonies (I think there are four) and I was very pleased with what I heard on BIS. There is, however, a set recorded on Hyperion with the BBC Scottish SO with Jean-Yves Ossance conducting. Does anyone have a strong opinion for or against either of these sets? I would also be curious to learn more about this composer. I don't have handy access to a Grove and a search on Classical net turned up with no entries for this composer. A web search turned up very little useful information. I am quite taken with this man's music and would love to hear more. Recommendations by listers of any recordings of his music that are noteworthy would be appreciated. Kevin Sutton