Ian Venables (b. 1955): Sonata for Violin and Piano (adapted from Sonata for Flute and Piano, Op. 23)
Gerald Finzi (1901-1956): Elegy, Op. 22 (1940)
Ivor Gurney (1890-1937):
- Chanson Triste (1908)
- In September (1908)
- In August (1909)
- Romance (1909)
- Legende (1909)
- A Folk Tale (1909)
- Humoreske (1909)
Arthur Bliss (1891-1975): Violin Sonata, F. 192 (1914-16)
Ian Venables (b. 1955): Three Pieces for Violin and Piano, Op. 11 (1986)
- Pastorale
- Romance
- Dance

If reflective, melancholy, and/or morose music is what feeds and elevates your soul, than this new recording may very well be the perfect panacea for you. Aside from the slightly more animated Scherzando second movement of Ian Venables' Sonata for Violin and Piano, the chipper Humoreske by Ivor Gurney and the closing Dance by Ian Venables, all of these carefully curated pieces share a common British Isles sensitivity, hence the title of this album.

Liverpool born Ian Venables studied music with Richard Arnell and John Joubert. His inclination as a songsmith explains his strong melodic aptitude, particularly prominent within his Pastorale. As his gripping, large scale choral works demonstrate, Gerald Finzi is generally not known for subtlety, but his Elegy may well convince you otherwise. Although marked by sadness and turmoil, it ends in calmness and serenity so pure as if to say "all is well". And it's in moments like this that the expressive musicianship of both Chu-Yu Yang and Eric McElroy comes to the fore.

It's through Gerald Finzi's efforts in collecting, cataloging and safeguarding his poetry and songs that the music of Ivor Gurney is still performed to this day. The pieces in this collection are presented in their world premiere recording, and blend in perfectly with the English countryside idyll concept of this album. The booklet notes point out that the Violin Sonata by Arthur Bliss was praised by Herbert Howells for its "fresh air and sweet-smelling earth" and its blend of English countryside tradition and sophistication.

There you have it ... a finely curated group of lesser-known English chamber works that go hand in hand with the album cover's painting by British painter Eric Ravilious.