The years 1917/18 proved to be an interesting period for three great composers active at the early part of the 20th century. Up until this time each was known primarily for his orchestral music, but in 1917/18 the three composers decided to write for smaller combinations involving the violin.

This CD allows a comparison of their respective compositional styles in, perhaps, an unfamiliar context. Debussy was to die soon after completing his Violin Sonata; Elgar wrote three valedictory chamber works beginning with the Violin Sonata within this period, before entering virtual creative silence (apart from the final masterpiece, the Cello Concerto). Sibelius was to continue his quest for symphonic unity with the final version of his Fifth Symphony before ending his career with the last three big orchestral works, symphonies Six and Severn and, finally, Tapiola in 1926. These four works place him at the pinnacle of 20th century music.