Haydn’s set of about 62 piano sonatas forms section XVI of the enormous Hoboken catalogue of his complete works. I was listening to one with a work colleague the other day. He remarked that they really are inventive and delightful pieces. That seems to be the case with this category of Haydn’s output: people are mildly surprised that they should enjoy them so much.

Personally I think they are right up there with Mozart’s sonatas. They’re full of invention and wit, some movements pensive and reflective, some dazzling in the extreme, all full of sophisticated joy. This music is also strong enough to shine in any format – harpsichord, fortepiano or modern piano. It’s the latter that French virtuoso Jean-Efflam Bavouzet chooses – a Yamaha Premium Grand, in fact – to present what he describes as “the boundless treasures of this sublime music”.

Typical (if any can be said to be typical) of these wonderful...