The distinguished cellist Lionel Handy presents an astonishingly compelling account of Bax’s complete cello works, accompanied by the equally distinguished pianist, Nigel Clayton. The recording is supported by the Royal Academy of Music, and its inspiration was the centenary of Handy’s own teacher, Florence Hooton, whose rapport and close work with Bax enabled her to pass on invaluable insights into the interpretation of his works. The disc contains the only available commercial recording of the Rhapsodic Ballad and is an essential addition to the CD library of any cellist or British music enthusiast, whilst also marking another step in Handy’s ongoing aim of broadening the solo cello repertoire. But in the hands of Handy and Clayton, this colourful and imaginative music has a far broader appeal and is one of the new must-have discs of the season.