The First of Stanford’s three piano trios dates from 1889 and bears a dedication to his good friend, the pianist and conductor Hans von Bülow. It’s a wonderfully fluent, superbly crafted creation that by no means follows convention, its confidently paced outer movements enclosing a deliciously capricious Allegretto con moto and an extended Tempo di menuetto ma molto moderato with two contrasting Trio sections (there is no actual slow movement as such).

The Second Piano Quartet was completed in January 1913 and would appear to have been heard just once prior to its revival (by these very same artists) at the 2009 Corbridge Chamber Music Festival in Northumberland. Jeremy Dibble’s new edition from the autograph manuscript reveals another noble, resourcefully worked canvas, full of memorable invention, most notably that swaggering F major cello tune in the Trio section of the Scherzo.

Striking, too, is the Irish flavour of the Adagio second movement, which alternates between 5/8 and 3/8 time and incorporates a more restless, march-like central episode. Sandwiched between the two main offerings come three smaller items for violin and piano. The fetching Legend dates from 1893, as do the Six Irish Fantasies, of which Nos 3 and 5 (“Jig” and “Hush Song”) are surveyed here; indeed, the latter turns out to be a most gorgeous lullaby that I’ve already replayed many times.

I’m delighted to be able to report that the Gould Piano Trio are magnificently stylish and sympathetic champions, and in the Piano Quartet they are joined by the excellent David Adams on the viola. Benefiting from top-notch production values throughout, this generously filled disc should be snapped up without delay.