Stephen Hough is good in French music – witness his award-winning set of the Saint-Saëns Piano Concertos. Now, at the centenary of the composer’s death, Hough gives us a full Debussy program. While always clear, his approach is not brittle or sharp-edged like that of Zimerman or Pollini, nor is it over-pedalled and muddy in an attempt to be impressionistic. Hough achieves a balance, getting the best of both worlds.

Where he shines is in finding the individual essence of a piece. Pagodes is coolly detached, like one of those mountains arising from the mist in a Japanese painting. By contrast, he brings a rustic edge to the textures of L’Isle Joyeuse. Where many treat this piece as a virtuoso exercise, Hough peoples the island with authentic peasants through his witty rhythmic pointing. In the languid salon waltz La Plus Que...