Back in February 2010 I praised an earlier issue by the Locrian Ensemble of music by Swiss composer Volkmar Andreae (1879-1962). I immediately discovered that his writing was of high quality and beautifully crafted. Now comes a further instalment, including an earlier String Quartet, written during the composer’s studies at the Cologne Conservatoire, but in no way immature. Its slightly derivative quality is far from a drawback: indeed, it gives one the curious feeling that it is music one has heard and liked before. It opens with a swingingly arresting tune which dominates the first movement; then comes a characteristically sparkling Scherzo, an engagingly songful Andante with a delicate middle section and an exuberantly bouncing rondo finale.

The String Trio, although it also has an underlying serenade-like flavour, is stronger in emotional feeling, noticeable at the opening of both outer movements (and especially the Molto lento introduction to the finale). The central Allegretto makes a light-hearted contrast with its wistful central section but the work closes spiritedly.

The Violin Sonata is the longest, most expansive work here, freely lyrical and somewhat introspective in feeling, with one of the composer’s most passionately beautiful tunes at the heart of the slow movement, balanced by a whimsical finale. The performances of all three works are first-rate in every way and they are truthfully balanced and recorded.

The first of the Six Piano Pieces (all brief) opens boldly but soon relents, and the remainder have appealing variety, the second (“Bacchantischer Tanz”) twinkles, the third poses a delicate question, the fourth (“Catalonisches Ständchen”) is quite charming, the fifth more expansively romantic and the restless sixth sheer bravura. They are sensitively played by Fali Pavri. The disc contains expansive, informative notes by Robert Matthew-Walker.