Despite a clunky title (doesn’t it just sound like an easy-listening record from the ‘50s?), Isserlis has certainly collected a lovely set of pieces here, (almost) all from the 1880s. As you’d expect, his playing on this release is absolutely without fault; Isserlis often posts on social media about the importance of phrasing, phrasing, phrasing, and there’s such care in even the smallest musical gestures here. This disc has Isserlis performing some favourites, like Max Bruch’s famous Kol Nidrei, as well as some surprises.

It starts with the early version of Richard Strauss’s Cello Sonata, which was apparently rejected by the composer. Isserlis notes that fellow cellist Daniel Müller-Schott had previously contacted Richard Strauss’ grandson about playing this version, only to be met with the words “my grandfather didn’t like it, and nor do I”! Nonetheless, Isserlis plays this generally-pretty-decent piece with the intensity of a top-shelf work – about as good a performance of the piece as you could get.

Dvořák’s Romantic Pieces, Op. 75 (originally for violin) make a convincing appearance on cello, but the highlight of this release is easily Luise Adolpha Le...