The German-Dutch composer Julius Röntgen (1855–1932) composed an astonishing number of works: 25 symphonies, 17 concerti, 32 string quartets, 16 string trios, 14 piano trios, many sonatas for his five string-player sons, as well as works in almost every other genre.

This vast output has at last begun to emerge from obscurity, with a number of recordings testifying to his astonishing craftsmanship and exquisite sense of melody, balancing skill and spontaneity.

The works recorded here confirm his extraordinary ability to write one gorgeous tune after another. All these works are receiving their first recordings here. Aus Jotunheim, based on Norwegian folktunes and composed as a present for Grieg and his wife, was first written for violin and piano and that version gets a first recording here, too.

Atsuko Sahara, who has been playing the violin since the age of four, studied in Tokyo and Vienna. She has given recitals at the Newport Music Festival in the USA and the Lake District Summer Music festival in England as well as in India, Japan, Kazakhstan and Scotland. She is a member of the Ensemble of Tokyo and Geidai Philharmonia.

John Lenehan has appeared as soloist with leading orchestras at home and abroad and has made more than 60 CDs. He is also active as a composer and has written and arranged for Angelika Kirchschlager, Kennedy, Julian Lloyd Webber, Tasmin Little and Emma Johnson.