The music of the British composer Algernon Ashton (1859–1937) is only now beginning to emerge, after being ignored for the best part of 70 years. It reveals him as one of the neglected geniuses of British music, considered ‘the greatest living composer’ of his time and on a par with Elgar and Delius. He studied in Leipzig and Frankfurt with Reinecke and Ernst Richter, and on returning to England became one of the youngest professors of piano at the Royal College of Music, remaining there for 35 years and teaching such composers as Hurlstone and Alwyn.

He was also a prolific composer with 124 published opuses. His piano music includes eight immensely attractive and challenging sonatas, all phenomenally difficult and imbued with tremendous spontaneity, melodic richness, energy and charm. These are all first recordings from one of the finest young British pianists and Ashton champion Daniel Grimwood.