After an apparent lifetime and a half signed to Sony Classical, Murray Perahia’s defection to Deutsche Grammophon was one of the big classical music news stories of 2016; but, whatever blogger gossips may tell you, this set of Bach’s French Suites represents stylistic continuity for Perahia, rather than any self-conscious fresh start.

Anyone admiring of Perahia’s English Suites, released by Sony Classical in 1998, will feel utterly at home here. Although there is absolutely nothing Perahia can do about the inescapable fact that Bach on a modern grand piano is incorrectly tuned, his big-boned, glowing sonorities are offset by a clarity of line-upon-line that is achieved through supple touch rather than overdosing on the sustain pedal. Nor is Perahia the sort of Bach player who imposes himself, or emotive swells, on the text too firmly; his Bach feels predestined and unaffected, yet unknowably complex – the sort of paradox with which a William Morris design teases your senses.

DG’s recorded sound radiates natural warmth and propinquity – a neat meeting of minds between artist and sound engineer – and Perahia paces and structures each movement with the sure-footedness of a satnav. I had some harsh words in...