Ireland: Violin Sonata No. 1 in D minor

“Anyone who instinctively shies away from John Ireland’s languid late romanticism might be persuaded of a more muscular side to his musical personality by these two violin sonatas, excellently played here.” The Independent, 4th August 2010

“The Ireland sonatas are sweet, uncomplicated and...unmistakably English. The performances are fine” Financial Times, 7th August 2010 **

“In the first, D minor violin sonata...it's the slow movement – with a main idea whose falling motif is more than distantly reminiscent of the theme of Elgar's Enigma Variations – that packs an emotional punch. All three performances certainly extract as much musical juice out of the pieces as they can.” The Guardian, 19th August 2010 ***

“...there's no gentility or emotional holding-back about these performances [of the Violin Sonatas] - the works are presented as big-boned, rough-hewn almost, in the Brahmsian tradition but infused with urgent contemporary feeling...Alice Neary's account of the later, more compact but equally heartfelt Cello Sonata is similarly powerful.” BBC Music Magazine, October 2010 *****

“Gould and Frith have the easy, genial, improvisatory nature of the First Violin Sonata nailed. Their tone in the tragedy-edged Second has just the right contrast...Neary plays [the Cello Sonata] with sure-fingered technique and sonorous tone, her interpretation awash with intense love, longing and frustration.” Classic FM Magazine, November 2010 ****

“With well balanced sound the disc makes a welcome addition to Naxos's growing library of British chamber works from a period too often neglected.” Gramophone Magazine, Awards Issue 2010

“Lucy Gould, one of the leading British violinists of her generation, is most sympathetically accompanied by Benjamin Frith, a pianist who should be far more widely acclaimed.” Penguin Guide, 2011 edition

“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.” BBC Music Magazine, Proms 2008 ***

“These whole-hearted, affectionate performances receive characteristically ripe, realistic Chandos engineering. A very rewarding set” Gramophone Magazine

“Such was the critical acclaim that greeted the March 1917 premiere of Ireland's Second Violin Sonata that the 37-year-old composer's reputation was cemented virtually overnight. The performers on that momentous occasion were the legendary Albert Sammons and pianist William Murdoch.
Some 13 years later Sammons finally set down his thoughts on this glorious music with Ireland himself at the piano. Quite why this valuable document never saw the light of day until now is a mystery, so all gratitude to Dutton for granting a long overdue lease of life to a nobly spacious rendering of such palpable feeling and insight.
As for the First Violin Sonata, Frederick Grinke's 1945 Decca recording (again with the composer) continues to strike as, quite simply, the most perceptive interpretation of this early offering ever encountered, possessing a compelling sweep and tingling concentration that grip from first measure to last. The November 1938 recording of the Phantasie Trio is yet another cherishable display, the playing wonderfully alive and always radiating a most winning understanding and spontaneity.
Good, if not exceptional transfers. Urgently recommended all the same.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010