Full of colour, both Osborne’s poetry and his exceptional touch are to the fore, the sparkling cascades in the final movement being especially breathtaking…strong performances of a programme that bears repeated listening

I would go so far as to suggest that this is the finest modern recording of both concertos- and a rival to any predecessor. Osborne and Morlot catch a much more vivid and nicely drawn Iberian feel to the music. This is one to have.

Time and again whilst listening I had to dash to my score to check that everything I could hear was actually being played by just the one hand! More importantly, though, Osborne doesn’t just treat it as a series of notes: he always manages to maintain the line, and to bring out each phrase effortlessly, no matter what else may be going on at the same time!

[Morlot] brings stylistic flair to Ravel’s bluesy melodies, and the orchestra and Osborne revel in the cascading chords and cakewalky rhythmic piquancy of the D major’s central section. Falla’s nostalgic evocation of his homeland has fallen out of favour, but Osborne has a great time with the Spanish dance flavour of the piece.

Osborne and the orchestra imbue [the Falla] with fabulous drama, especially in the rambunctious third movement...Broadly speaking, these performers [of the Ravel] make the great Left Hand Concerto in D seem like a traumatic postlude to the war and the much jollier Piano Concerto in G sound like the purest escapism from it.

The Concerto for the Left Hand is done with élan and rhythmic zest, and Osborne flies through the massive challenges of the grand coda. The BBC Scottish SO is a sensitive partner; Ludovic Morlot occasionally drives the players hard but they rarely struggle, with the strings especially producing a mellow supportive tone.

This performance is atmospheric and suggestive, Osborne and Morlot (Nights is more for orchestra with piano) conjuring an intoxicating impressionism that finds, for me, more in this three-movement score than hitherto, especially the outer ones – the second always makes an immediate appeal – and further recognition that this is an outstanding release in every way.