Given some of history’s composers being notable for their groundbreaking music, influence or even scandals, English composer John Ireland has been said to have lived a relatively unremarkable life. He traveled little, held no conducting post, composed no symphony or opera and, having lived years (1879-1962) when music changed dramatically and he could have, he never wrote any music that would startle an audience. But having lived among these years of changing styles, his music both looks back to classicism before him and forward to modern influences, giving his compositions a style unique in their hybrid variety.

But the backstory of one John Ireland composition contains perhaps his only hint of drama. At about age 50 he had apparently fallen in love with a 19 year old pianist for whom he wrote and to whom he dedicated his only concerto, for piano. And though she premiered the piece, she didn’t return his affections, married an architect and moved to Australia. Spurned, Ireland rescinded the dedication. It was an immediate success and for decades was called the finest British piano concerto and performed regularly by the greatest British pianists. John Ireland’s Piano Concerto in E-Flat major is today’s Midday Masterpiece at 2:00 pm.