Einar Englund (1916–99) was not only one of Finland’s major symphonists; he wasalso one of his country’s most important pianists.

He was destined for a virtuoso career until he damaged a finger as a soldier in theBattle of Bengtskjär in the ‘Finnish Continuation War’ in 1941 – but when he laterdiscovered the bullet holes in his beret, he realised he had had a lucky escape!

Englund wrote surprisingly little for his own instrument, but the works he didproduce glitter with a Prokofievan steely strength and textural clarity.

They are also animated with the ironic humour that was typical of the composerhimself.

The pianist here is one of Finland’s finest musicians, Laura Mikkola.

The booklet essay is by Christian Holmqvist, Englund’s biographer, and is followed bya personal reminiscence of Einar Englund by Martin Anderson, founder of Toccata Classics.