Released in celebration of John McCabe’s 70th birthday, this splendid recital is a timely reminder of what we will soon be missing, for McCabe announced earlier this year his intention to retire from the concert platform. The present disc, recorded mostly in 1972, is typical of his enterprising programme-planning, with the familiar and not-so-familiar rubbing shoulders on equal terms.

Whereas some pianists impress through force of virtuosity, McCabe exceptionally brings the composer’s insights to bear on whatever he performs. Vaughan Williams’s Hymn-Tune Prelude (1928) impresses through its calm, strong polyphony, whereas his Lake in the Mountains (1947, extracted from his film score The 49th Parallel) is a beautifully rendered miniature tone-picture. His Suite, published in 1921, may be a teaching aid but is a splendid concert item in its own right. Of the two Holst pairs, the Nocturne and Jig (Two Pieces, 1930-32, composed for his daughter Imogen) are the weightier, given enjoyably robust performances here; but the Northumbrian Folktunes simply delight.

McCabe takes in his stride not only the folksy soundscapes in Warlock’s masterly Folksong Preludes (1918) but also the vigorous, percussive sections of Ireland’s brilliant Sonatina (1927) or Joubert’s Dance Suite (1958). Bringing out some surprisingly Baxian qualities in the central Quasi lento of the Ireland, McCabe moves to the real thing in a movement from Bax’s Fourth Sonata (1934). By complete contrast, he produces the best account I have heard of Britten’s then-still-new Night-Piece (1963, recorded in 1968 Pye sessions), framed between Moeran’s slight but enjoyable Bank Holiday (1925) and Joubert’s electrifying suite. The re-engineered sound is fine throughout – a fitting testimonial to a truly great pianist.