Gade’s F major Trio is far more than a worthy exercise by a provincial master. Apart from the fluency and sure-footedness to be expected of the pride of Danish 19th-century composers, there is warmth and charm here, alongside joie de vivre in the finale. “Mendelssohnacidic Schumannoxide”, perhaps, as a German contemporary dubbed Gade’s style, but it has a distinct taste and, when subtly blended as here, it’s one I’m pleased to have acquired. Of course, all these qualities are so clearly evident only thanks to the uncommonly sympathetic playing of Trio Parnassus, who bring pretty much the ideal blend of affection and discretion to this repertoire.

Not even they, however, can make the single movement of early B flat Trio justify its 12 and a half minutes. The third of the five Novelettes rather startles with its near-plagiaristic fusion of the finale of Schumann’s Piano Quintet with the slow movement of Schubert’s “Great” C major Symphony. But this cycle of five pieces actually hangs together rather well, and it is no surprise to learn from MDG’s informative booklet that it sold well in the composer’s lifetime. With its well-balanced recording and warm acoustic, this is a disc that would grace the shelves of any specialist collector of chamber and/or Nordic music.