Composed at the age of 20, while Tranchell was in hospital suffering from iritis, Nativitates is a dissonant and challenging work for organ in two movements.

Peter Tranchell's Salonika Nights: Valse for solo piano is presumed to date from 1945-46. It’s a delightful salon-piece consisting of an eight bar introduction followed by four waltzes in different keys, after which the first is repeated.

Peter Tranchell's Sonatina for pianoforte (1949) is a little mysterious - Tranchell didn't mention it in letters home, and was at the time talking more about his piano concerto (which either never materialised or has been lost). The work is in five movements, duration approx. 15 minutes, and was dedicated to Jane Scott, later to become Elizabeth Jane Howard.

The Carol Voluntary is a light-hearted piece with a serious side, melding eight different carols (at the last count) with unexpected results. It was first written for Tranchell's friend David Isitt (later The Reverend) in 1948, then revised in 1964.