Haydn: Piano Sonatas Vol 1/Jean-Efflam Bavouzet (piano)

The French pianist renowned for Debussy has now turned his attention to Haydn, and the results are effervescent and dazzling. He starts his complete series with a well-chosen group of four sonatas, including the B minor No 47, with its witty finale, and the marvellous A flat major No 31, with its serenely baroque Adagio. Bavouzet's beautiful touch makes this movement sound more like Ravel (and he adds an unidiomatic cadenza): throughout there is a feeling of inevitable restraint and holding back on the modern piano, however virtuosic the playing. I would prefer – especially for this repertory on record – an 18th-century fortepiano stretched to its limits.