Granville Bantock’s two violin sonatas are cast in a determinedly 19th century style redolent of Brahms, despite having been composed in 1929 and 1932. Brahms’ shadow is most apparent in the impressive motivic construction and poised lyricism of Sonata No. 2, while Sonata No. 1 explores the late-romantic, exotic territory of fellow British composers Bax and Ireland. Like Bax, Bantock exploits the violin’s capacity to beguile with sweetly spun cantabile writing, a characteristic that makes his music more pleasing than compelling. These works certainly don’t provoke the intellect the way the more adventurous contemporaneous sonatas of Serge Prokofiev do, but daring innovation is not what you look for in Bantock anyway. So, these pieces will provide joyful comfort to the composer’s loyal fans, especially in these committed and deeply felt performances by Lorraine McAslan and Michael Dussek, who also offer excellent renditions of the coupled Coronach and Salve Regina. Dutton’s closely miked recording brings immediacy, but at the sacrifice of openness in the higher frequencies. Still, this release is recommended, particularly for Bantock specialists.
