Ralph Vaughan Williams's extraordinary output for orchestra and voice is a central part of the repertoire - but not so his music for solo piano or piano duet. As he releases a new disc of the composer's complete music for solo (or two) piano, Mark Bebbington reflects on a small but significant body of works which reveal fascinating facets of the composer's style and personality.

As well as transcriptions of his Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis and Fantasia on Greensleeves, the recording - available now from the Somm label - also includes a remarkable premiere recording of a 17-minute work for two pianos. In conversation with Gramophone's Editor Martin Cullingford, in this new podcast Mark Bebbington brings us closer to this lesser-known side of a well-known figure.

You can listen to the podcast below. To download, or to subscribe for free to future podcasts, visit Gramophone at iTunes. 

Excerpts are courtesy of Somm recordings, and on the pieces for two pianos Mark Bebbington is joined by Rebecca Ormordia. Photo credit: Rama Knight.

Mark Bebbington's new recording of Vaughan Williams's piano music is out now. Buy from Amazon here; or from iTunes here