Conductor and cellist Kenneth Woods' ongoing project to revive the music of Hans Gál has moved from the composer's less persuasive symphonic works to the more congenial grounds of chamber music, and the results are illuminating. Gál, who escaped the Nazis to live out his life in Scotland (he died there in 1987) is represented here by two works, one early and one late. The Serenade in D, written in 1932, is a witty, sardonic and often beautiful score, which adopts the mannerisms of the Classical style while simultaneously sending them up with love and zest. By contrast, the Trio in F-Sharp Minor from 1971 sounds broad and pensive, and frankly rather ponderous for all of Gál's undeniable mastery of resources. In any case, Gál has to share the stage here with Hans Krása, his near-contemporary who was murdered in Auschwitz. Krása's Passacaglia and Fugue is a brilliant revelation, a savage takedown of artistic ideals in which order and luxuriance devolve into chaos. It's a compact, unforgettable masterpiece, and the Ensemble Epomeo - which includes Woods along with violinist Caroline Chin and violist David Yang - gives it a superb performance.

Rating: Wild applause