Hyperion celebrates the 30th release in its invaluable The Romantic Piano Concerto series with a disc of Lyapunov’s works for piano and orchestra as beautiful as it is comprehensive. Whether in Opp 4, 28 or 38, you could never fail to guess the composer’s nationality, and even when you sense Balakirev’s eagle-eyed scrutiny of the First Concerto or Liszt’s influence in the Second, Lyapunov’s style invariably transcends the sources of his inspiration. Indeed, it is no exaggeration to say, as Edward Garden does in his excellent accompanying essay, that the hushed nocturnal opening to the Second Concerto is among the loveliest in the repertoire, setting the stage for every starry-eyed wonder.

The writing is as lavish and ornate as even the most ardent lover of Russian Romantic music could wish – at 3'35" it’s like some richly embroidered cloth winking and glinting with a thousand different lights and colours. More generally, everything is seen through such a personal and committed perspective that all sense of derivation or of a tale twice told is erased.

Such an overall impression would not, of course, occur if the performances were less skilful or meticulously prepared. Throughout, Hamish Milne holds his head high, lucidly and affectionately commanding cascades of notes, and he is stylishly partnered by Martyn Brabbins. There is competition in the Second Concerto from the urbane and scintillating Howard Shelley who is rather more immediately recorded on Chandos. But to have all three works on a single disc (the First Concerto receiving its first recording) is an irresistible bonus.