Leon McCawley packs bountiful musicianship into this (let me tell you now) very recommendable/superbly recorded programme that reports a pianist with no need to exaggerate, intervene or show-off, yet he is neither bland nor self-effacing, the music presented with personality, insight, and powerful focus, opening with a Bach Prelude and Fugue (for organ in A-minor, BWV543) transcribed by Liszt, a jubilant opening contrasted with Beethoven’s gentle Andante favori (intended as the slow movement of the ‘Waldstein’ Sonata) played invitingly by McCawley who then parades the ‘Waldstein’ itself with dexterity and grandeur, nothing forced and with many delightful touches, and then he essays Chopin’s Berceuse with consummate regard for the singing line and its expressive augmentation, followed by the Barcarolle (just a little hasty and phrasally squeezed), ending with the Franck – searching, rippling, tender and mighty – the piano wonderfully present. SOMMCD 0717.