Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No 2 in G is played much less often than its popular predecessor. While it does not share the First’s melodic memorability, it is a fascinating work from a structural point of view. In its original version of 1879 (played here) the concerto runs to almost 50 minutes. The long first movement, Allegro brilliante, includes two substantial piano cadenzas. Even more radical is the slow movement: it begins with a lengthy accompanied solo violin, eventually joined by cello, and only later does the piano feature. Throughout this movement – an outpouring of pure Tchaikovskian lyricism – the two stringed instruments continue to make a major contribution.

While it is clear the composer was experimenting with form – and why shouldn’t he? – his contemporaries had doubts about the work’s length. Eventually it was published and performed for many decades in a version edited by Alexander Siloti. Siloti’s cuts were severe, including the excision of half the slow movement, and Tchaikovsky did not approve them.

The original is something of a marathon and, like its predecessor, responds best to a pianist with a big technique. It got that in a well-regarded EMI recording by Peter Donohoe, and does so...