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"Callaghan extracts every ounce of eloquence and fantasy from this intriguing repertoire ... engineering is clean and true to match ... a bold release, in sum, which will handsomely reward (those) who enjoy venturing off the beaten track." - Gramophone "Four Stars ... (on the 24 Preludes) style and manner is soaked in the Romantic piano tradition (Rachmaninov uppermost), yet harmonic twists and an obsessive repetitions of melody and rhythmic motifs point to an individual personality, if one existing in a very small world. Slow speeds and a mood of sad nostalgia dominate, but Simon Callaghan's supple and sympathetic playing help keep the listener's spirits alert." - BBC Music Magazine Pianist Simon Callaghan presents the world premieres of works by British composer and pianist Roger Sacheverell Coke, about whom little is known. Artists who admired him include Eugene Goossens, Sir Henry Wood and the Brosa Quartet. As well, he was a friend of both Moiseiwitsch and Rachmaninov and dedicated one of his symphonies to Rachmaninov. Callaghan devoted much time researching Coke's life and work, keen to assemble a clearer picture of the man and his music. Although a large amount of Coke's writing remains in manuscript, the pieces on this album have never been recorded until now. "... the more I explored this music and became familiar with the composer’s unique musical language, the more I became keen to present these lost treasures to the world ... Coke was a remarkable musician and clearly a gifted composer ... given the composer’s background as a successful concert pianist, it is unsurprising that the music is very pianistic and is truly late Romantic in style ... several people were quickly reminded of Scriabin’s late works ... it is a mystery to me (and very sad) that this music in not better known. I am looking forward to exploring as much of Coke’s music as I can get my hands on!" - Simon Callaghan