All of the composers on this album were part of a new ‘English Style’ that blended traditional lyricism with wider influences from Europe and Scandinavia. They shared a rebelliousness against established musical conservatism and created vivid responses to nature and the living folk heritage of England and Ireland. From Vaughan Williams’s enchanting textures, via Bax and Bridge’s harmonic surprises, to Delius’s return to his roots at the end of his life – this is a rich collection of shimmering gems from the British Isles.

This is a Naxos debut for the two musicians recorded here, but we have had numerous successes with British and Irish chamber music in the past, and this title can join with others such as the acclaimed ‘British Music for Cello and Piano’ albums on 8571361 and 8571352, both with Raphael Wallfisch and Raphael Teroni, neither of which overlap in terms of repertoire with this new recording.

Cellist Gerald Peregrine is an established soloist, chamber and orchestral musician, who regularly performs in Ireland, Europe, the Americas and Asia, and has gained much critical acclaim as a soloist and chamber musician. Based in Dublin, Gerald is a member of the critically acclaimed Ensemble Avalon, who have recently completed a 3-year residency as the first ever ensemble in residence at Trinity College Dublin. As a chamber musician he has performed with international artists such as Patricia Rozario, Barry Douglas, Rosey Chan, Anthony Pleeth and Catherine Leonard. He has given numerous solo recitals in all the major venues in Ireland, as well as at major festivals in Asia and Europe.

As a postgraduate student, pianist Antony Ingham won the UCLA Piano Concerto Competition with the Arthur Bliss concerto whilst studying with the late Johana Harris in Los Angeles. He now enjoys a varied musical career of accompanying and coaching strings, woodwind and voice. He works regularly as piano accompanist for the RCM junior dept. and has worked as official accompanist for the Orchestra of St Martin-in-the-Fields, the Royal College of Music, Trinity, London College of Music and the Purcell School. He has performed at venues including the Wigmore Hall, Purcell Room and St Martin-in-the-Fields.