Harp repertoire is usually associated with music of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries; as a result, a vast corpus of harp music that predates this period is left largely untouched. There are obvious reasons for this - there are few 'early' harp specialists and much of the music is unsuitable for today's large chromatic instruments. David Watkins and the Salomon Quartet have at least in part, redressed the balance with this fine recording of music by J. C. Bach, Mozart and Haydn.

Bach's music is generally thought to be the least interesting of the period and is certainly overshadowed by his more illustrious brothers. This recording certainly provides food for thought, however, since the two Bach works are noteworthy compositions. The Sinfonia Concerto, one of a set of six concerti written in 1763, is perhaps one of the better (the sixth contains a rather ineffectual and sycophantic set of variations on the National Anthem, for example), and was in fact written for a harpsichord solo. Its later Parisian publication, however, cites 'Clavecin ou Harpe', the version used here. The Harp Trio (Sonata VI in B-flat major), which likewise mentions the harpsichord on its title page (Edward Jones, 1775), is similarly attractive. Both performances are convincing: structurally, they are well conceived and the rich timbre of the harp, although at first rather disconcerting, in fact contrasts well with the more sinewy string tone of the quartet. Perhaps, for that reason alone, this is a preferable option.

Not all the works featured are strictly for harp and strings. For this reason Mozart's Adagio and Rondo (K617) does not come over particularly well. The original instrumentation - glass harmonica, flute, oboe, viola and cello - is more arresting and colourful. However, unlike today, the scoring of chamber music was not written on tablets of stone and there is no doubt that, as long as parts fitted, all manner of combinations occurred. This is one feature makes this disc so enjoyable: good music that is performed at an acceptable standard works well, no matter what the medium. Watkins' and the Salomon's standards are exceptionally high, as this disc ably demonstrates.

John Woodford