“Milne, as usual, offers resilient rhythms and tightly focused phrasing marked by a refreshing attention to detail … you’re unlikely to hear a better performance of this repertoire in the foreseeable future”
2010
“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's 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 eagleeyed scrutiny of the First Concerto or Liszt's influence in the Second, Lyapunov's style invariably transcends the sources of his inspiration. Indeed, it's 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 wouldn't, occur if the performances were less skilful or meticulously prepared. Hamish Milne holds his head high, lucidly and affectionately throughout, commanding cascades of notes; he's stylishly partnered by Martyn Brabbins. There's 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 is an irresistible bonus.”
Pianist Magazine
“With the risk of the laser beam totally ruining this new Hyperion release from repeated playing, I am now prepared to throw away a few more symphonies just to make room for more Lyapunov”
Click on any of the works listed above for alternative recordings.
