In his obituary of William Busch, the writer and broadcaster John Amis observed that “His music is distinguished by its sensibility and warmth with a strong sense of form and a fine texture, linear rather than harmonic. It is tragic that he should have died when he was writing at the height of his powers and at a time when his gifts were beginning to receive recognition. Recognition will not cease now, for his work has permanent values”. Over forty year later, in a series of radio programmes entitled “Forgotten Reputations”, Amis warned that “Of all the musicians of the ’30s and ’40s… William Busch is the most likely to be forgotten”. The current release preserves an important part of his creative legacy and seeks to ensure that his music lives on.

Though some of Rebecca Clarke’s most successful pieces feature the piano, such as her Viola Sonata (1919) and Piano Trio (1921) and her writing for the instrument in those scores is both idiomatic and inventive, she only wrote a handful of solo piano pieces, all featured on this release.

A favourite artist at the internationally-renowned Husum Festival of Piano Rarities in Germany, Steinway Artist Simon Callaghan’s recent sell-out recital drew praise from audience and critics, with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung describing his “cleverly curated recital full of discoveries” (VAN Magazine) as “technically brilliant”. Callaghan’s current repertoire includes over fifty concertos, highlights of the standard solo and chamber works of the 19th and 20th centuries, and much that is rare and unexplored. One cornerstone of Callaghan’s work is his commitment to British music, and he has recently begun a projected series with Lyrita, presenting world-premiere recordings of British concertos with Martyn Brabbins and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.

“Clearly a musician of curiosity and discernment, Callaghan’s robust piano-playing is also thoughtful, subtle and refined.” – Gramophone