The title ‘Amusement’ for the first of the four works on this disc could not be more apt. This is in effect a compact sonatina for violin and piano which brings out the unpre-tentious qualities of Hummel’s writing at their most appealing. The outer movements are built on tinkling tunes (the finale in jaunty polka-rhythm), while the slow movement is a ‘Song without Words’ in all but name, with a reminder not just of Mendelssohn but of Bellini.

Though longer and structurally more elaborate, the two sonatas are hardly more ambitious, works designed to entertain without making too many demands on the listener. Neither sonata is currently listed in the catalogue, which makes these lively performances very welcome. Though Hummel’s opus numbers can be misleading, the Op 5 work is evidently an early piece, with a bold octave motif at the start leading to easeful melodic writing, with another ‘Song without Words’ for slow movement and jaunty finale.

The Variations alla Monferina for cello and piano are just as inventive. John Amis points out in his booklet-note that a Monferina was a rustic dance from Piedmont in 6/8 time, and though the main minor-key theme of the variations is in 2/4, there is a haunting little refrain in 6/8 which recurs at various points. After 10 variations comes a galloping 6/8 coda. The recording underlines some minor flaws in Alison Moncrieff’s playing.

Lyn Garland at the piano is the prime mover, as Hummel would have expected, always fresh and lively. She and her colleagues have also recorded seven of Hummel’s piano trios for Meridian (nla), and I hope they will go on to record more of his violin and cello music.