Haydn: Piano Concertos Jean-Efflam Bavouzet (piano), Manchester Camerata / Gábor Takács-Nagy

Though Haydn was one of the greatest masters of good cheer in music, these three keyboard concertos (Nos 3, 4, and 11) straddle the transition from the harpsichord to the piano and often sound problematic, even prattling, on modern concert grands. French pianist Jean-Efflam Bavouzet approaches the music with light fingers, crisp articulation, an airy approach to phrasing, and a readiness to embellish melodic lines. Anyone who's been to one of the Irish Chamber Orchestra's Haydn performances under principal conductor Gábor Takács-Nagy will know what to expect from him here with the Manchester Camerata, which takes great delight in the composer's bright and breezy manner. Bavouzet provides his own cadenzas, which may not be to all tastes. url.ie/f1f2