Holbrooke:Violin Concerto 'The Grasshopper' (Violin Sonata No. 2), Op. 59 / Violin Sonata No. 1 ('Sonatina'), Op. 6a / Horn Trio in D (original versio

"All the performances are of a high standard, often brilliant and imaginative, and I was particularly impressed with Kerenza Peacock's lithe, elegant violin-playing and her easy conquest of the virtuoso demands of The Grasshopper" (Gramophone)

Joseph Holbrooke is a fascinating and important figure in British music, and this is the first Naxos recording of his music.

His Violin Sonata No. 1 - also called a Sonatina - is a bright, engaging and light-hearted work that owes something to his interest in popular song. His Violin Concerto, subtitled 'The Grasshopper', was published in full score and in two versions for violin and piano - including a 'sonata' version with a somewhat technically less demanding final movement. In this recording we present the original 'concerto' version. The Horn Trio took Brahms's similar trio as a precedent, and is a work of great dignity and melodic appeal.