Although only one, the last to be written, of Tchaikovsky's piano sonatas was published during his lifetime, there are, strictly speaking, three such works. The single-movement F minor work of 1863/4 was abandoned incomplete and untitled, though the composer was later to reuse some of the material; it here receives a rare performance – and its first recording – in a version completed by Leslie Howard. The second sonata to be composed (it was published posthumously, accounting for the apparently late Opus number) adopts the more typical four-movement structure, and while it would not do to make exaggerated claims for the work, it is a good deal better than its critics frequently allow. The third sonata, the only one to have remained firmly in the repertoire, is a major work whose felicities are numerous and memorable, offering the pianist an opportunity to revel in Tchaikovsky's broad palette of sound. 'Much stirring music, some unexpected delicacies, and generally walloping performances' (The Observer) 'Leslie Howard's mammoth trek through Liszt's complete piano compositions and transcriptions (also for Hyperion) marks him out as a pianist quite undaunted by the super-virtuosic, but he employs his virtuosity entirely for the tasteful interpretation of the music' (BBC Music Magazine) 'Powerful performances of great advocacy in exemplary sonics' (Classic CD) 'Un disque unique en son genre et absolument splendide' (Répertoire, France) 'I am happy to have heard these beautifully recorded, fully convincing performances by a pianist with a rich sound and ample technique who believes in what he is doing. The warm, clear recorded sound and Howard's playing make this the Tchaikovsky piano disc to acquire' (Fanfare, USA) 'Hay que referirse al extraordinario rigor y sensibilidad musical de Howard: precisión, equilibrio, brillantez, fraseo amplio y cálido, riqueza expresiva' (Scherzo, Spain)