A fascinating programme of three variations cycles from different style periods. The Beethoven Eroica variations brim with boisterous good humour, wit, virtuosity and the occasional touch of sadness and melancholy; the Piano Variations by Aaron Copland are stark, austere and glowing from inner power, not easy to digest but immensely gripping.

The Chopin Variations are vintage Rachmaninoff: by turns brooding, glittering, melancholic, sentimental and triumphant, a seldom heard masterpiece!

This is the second release on Piano Classics by Georgian pianist Alexander Korsantia, living in Boston, USA. His first disc, devoted to Prokofiev and Stravinsky (PCL0053), was a dazzling display of power and passion, beauty and delicacy.