Concerto Caledonia - Oswald: Colin's Kisses - Yorkshire Evening Press

This is one for the Scots and all who love 18th century ditties. Oswald was born in Fife in 1710, made his fortune as a composer and music publisher in London, and became master of Knebworth, where he died in 1769. He wrote 96 Airs for the Seasons, each named after a flower or shrub. Six are played here with prettiness and delicacy by five members of concerto Caledonia, flute and violin predominating. Colin's kisses sets 12 sentimental poems by Robert Dodsley; soprano Catherine Bott and tenor Iain Paton deliver them with graceful ornamentation and verbal clarity, laced with tongue-in-cheek delight. Amatory amusement abounds, with numbers such as The Dust Cart Cantata among these 33 unpretentious but happy tracks.