Paul Patterson’s Pheonix Concerto gives solo oboist Emily Pailthorpe the character of the mythical Phoenix Firebird itself: mercurial, sensuous, mesmerising an captivating.

Commissioned by David Bowerman and first performed in 2009, this is the world premiere recording. Patterson writes "The fire, passion and power of the Phoenix are very present in the outer movements of this piece, with the last movement filled with mesmerising dance-rhythms. The oboe’s unparalleled ability to recreate the feel of exotic bird-song is showcased in the opening cadenza and central slow movement."

Alongside this new work is Vaughan Williams’ beloved Concerto in  A minor for Oboe and Strings, composed for another great exponent of the oboe, Leon Goossens, in 1944. Although superficially a work of pastoral serenity and bucolic piping for the soloist, there are undercurrents that remind the listener that is was composed in war time.

The Howells Oboe Sonata is another world premiere, here in a new orchestration by Benjamin Wallfisch for string with harp, played by Hugh Webb. In its original incarnation (not heard until after the composer’s death in 1982, and with heavily orchestral piano writing) the work presented problems to its dedicatee, again Goosens, who said he had ’serious reservations’.

Of this new arrangement, however, Pailthorpe says "I feel liberated ...I can float my sound over the breadth of the ECO strings, and the harp texture is wonderful..." She adds: "The Howells and the Vaughan Williams, both written in the early 1940’s arise from the ashes of World War II and, in this sense, they seem fitting to included on this "Phoenix" album.

Founder member of accaimed chamber ensemble Conchord, Emily pailthorpe is a graduate of the Julliard School and the youngest ever winner of the Gilet International Oboe Competitio. She mader her solo Wigmore debut in 2004 and guests as principal oboe with several leading international orchestras.