John Ireland once confided to a friend that "chamber music is a far finer medium for one's innermost thoughts than orchestral music", and undoubtedly his legacy in this medium formed the core of his achievement as a composer. Not least among his chamber compositions are the two Violin Sonatas recorded on this CD.

The Sonatas are coupled with four delightful miniatures, including the famous The Holy Boy, apparently inspired by one Bobby Glasby, a chorister in Ireland's choir at St Luke's Church, Chelsea!