Volkmar Andreae: Chamber Music Volume 3 - The Locrian Ensemble of London

The fine Swiss-born composer and conductor Volkmar Andreae has recently come to the attention of a wide international public, where it has been revealed as being of the highest musical quality.  It appears that Andreae's career as a composer was completely overshadowed by his career as a conductor, but this outstanding new CD, the third to feature his chamber music from Guild (GMCD7307 - Piano Trios, GMCD7328 – String Quartets), contains much to set the record straight.  This CD contains world premiere recordings, including Andreae's String Quartet in E flat major dating from 1899, when he was 20 years old, his wonderful Violin Sonata and String Trio alongside some beautiful solo piano pieces.  The performances are quite superb - as is the music, ranging in influences from Richard Strauss to the later French Impressionists - and the recording is really excellent.  A most significant issue for Swiss music.