Ysaÿe’s own music was all but engulfed by his performing career and the only composition of note that has held the repertoire is his much recorded set of Six Sonatas for solo violin, which are regarded by many as the only viable successor to the unaccompanied works by Bach. But there is much more yet to be discovered and all the music on this disc has a magnetically haunting appeal, not least the meditative and delicate Andante in B minor for string quintet (1893), full of intense melancholy but becoming more passionately assertive at its central climax and resolving ethereally in D major. The String Quintet in B minor (1894) is inscribed to “mon frère Théophile” (the composer’s younger brother). It is the longest work here (20 minutes) but in a single movement more restless and animated than its companions, sometimes passionate but with a moving expressive kernel of nostalgia.

The String Quartet began life as a “Trio de Londres” but was turned into its present format by the composer’s grandson, Jacques. It opens with something of the touchingly refined lyricism of the other works but then surprises the listener by introducing a complete and satisfyingly structured fugue, and has a positive conclusion. It was also Jacques who found the Paganini Variations (originally for solo violin) among his grandfather’s unpublished works and arranged them with great effect for string quartet. They are also intimate and winningly contrasted between lyricism and virtuosity (impressively realised here) to make a neat finale to a concert of music full of individuality and character.

The performances are immaculate in both execution and ensemble, and very sensitive in their feeling for the composer’s elusive but memorable muse. The recording is truthful and beautifully balanced in an ideally intimate acoustic. This will prove a real find for lovers of French chamber music, notably of Ravel and Debussy.