When I interviewed Rodrigo for The Gramophone a few years before his death in 1999, he told me that one of his concerns was the almost total neglect of his piano music. He acknowledged its style was influenced by the French Impressionist school but felt the music was still very much his own. Although the repertoire still appears infrequently in the recital room, excellent two-CD surveys have appeared: Gregory Allen on Bridge (7/92) and Sara Marianovich on Sony (A/02).

Now comes a first-class collection from the perceptive and sympathetic Artur Pizarro. He opens brilliantly with Rodrigo’s evocation of Albéniz, A l’ombre de Torre Bermeja, here, as elsewhere, bringing out its affinities with the guitar. Cuatro Piezas include a glittering ‘Fandango’ and a touchingly pensive ‘Prayer of the Princess of Castille’, while among the Andalusian Pictures (Cuatro Estampas andaluzas), ‘Twilight over the Guadalquivir River’ makes a reflective contrast with the quirky bravura of the devilish ‘Seguidillas’. Among the simpler items, the nostalgic Preludio, and delicate Pastorale, the rippling Serenata española and charming Air de Ballet are all highly beguiling.

In sum, Pizarro captures the varying moods of this music very well. If you have not discovered Rodrigo at the piano I urge you to try this generous collection, vividly recorded and with excellent booklet-notes by Graham Wade: you won’t be disappointed.