Ah, Susan Tomes, still fondly remembered as the pianist of the late, lamented Florestan Trio. But she has accomplished much else, including writing eight books about music, performing and the piano. The present album is an aural offspring of here 2024 volume about women pianists, this time with the focus on those who composed as well as played. Twelve are featured, some not widely known, but all adept at crafting miniatures with a dexterity and charm fully worthy of Tomes's subtle skills and our listening time.

There are many highlights but I'll single out two: Fanny Mendelssohn's Abschied von Rom, a tender piece that could only have been written by someone who really didn't want to leave Rome at all, and Raie da Costa's 1920s syncopated Razor blades. This album is a genuine tonic.