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This comprehensive two-disc collection is now re-released at the price of 2 for 1. Ireland’s chamber music is recognised as including some of his most profound and personal works. Lydia Mordkovitch plays the complete violin sonatas, accompanied by Ian Brown. The Strad commented on Mordkovitch’s performance, ‘her playing in the sonatas is quite superb and her interpretations so idiomatic’. The Penguin Guide awarded the discs 3 stars, and
wrote, ‘the two Violin Sonatas are both superb… masterfully played here by Lydia Mordkovitch with Ian Brown’.
In the passionately intense Piano Trio No. 3, a larger chamber work, Ireland also demonstrates that he could develop his striking, memorable themes. Completing the set is a recording of the Fantasy Sonata for clarinet and piano, performed by Gervase de Peyer and Gwenneth Pryor.
John Ireland: Violin Sonata No. 1 in D minor
I. Allegro leggiadro
II. Romance: In tempo sostenuto, quasi adagio
III. Rondo: Allegro sciolto assai
John Ireland: Violin Sonata No. 2 in A minor
I. Allegro
II. Poco lento quasi adagio
III. In tempo moderato
John Ireland: Fantasy-Sonata
Fantasy-Sonata
John Ireland: Cello Sonata in G minor
I. Moderato e sostenuto
II. Poco largamente
III. Con moto e marcato
John Ireland: 4 Preludes (arr. for cello and piano)
4 Preludes: No. 3. The Holy Boy (arr. for cello and piano)
John Ireland: Phantasie-Trio in A minor
Phantasie-Trio
John Ireland: Piano Trio No. 2 in E major
Piano Trio No. 2
John Ireland: Piano Trio No. 3 in E major-minor
I. Allegro moderato
II. Scherzo: Vivace
III. Andante cantabile - Pochissimo piu moto - Quasi tempo
IV. Finale: Con moto
Proms 2008
***
“Those who think Ireland's music is all face-to-the-wall English melancholy should try the seriously impressive Second Violin Sonata and Second Piano Trio, both wartime-inspired. Strong accounts.”
“These whole-hearted, affectionate performances receive characteristically ripe, realistic Chandos engineering. A very rewarding set”
Click on any of the works listed above for alternative recordings.