Rodrigo's piano music appears infrequently in the recital room, though excellent two-CD surveys have appeared: Gregory Allen on Bridge and Sara Marianovich on Sony. Now comes a first-class collection from the perceptive and sympathetic Artur Pizarro, who opens brilliantly with Rodrigo's evocation of Albéniz, A l'ombrede 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 Estampasandaluzas), '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 Serenataespañola and charming Air de Ballet are all highly beguiling. Pizarro captures the varying moods of this music very well. This generous collection is vividly recorded and with excellent bookletnotes by Graham Wade.