Marc-André Hamelin’s fiery yet controlled way with Opus 106’s first movement immediately compels attention, uncompromising (especially with accents) but with a flexibility that avoids one-way traffic tempo-wise, then a Scherzo that is bejewelled with detail and rhythmic punch, a sparky interlude before the sublime slow movement is sagaciously unfurled, Hamelin among the more-spacious of interpreters (nearly nineteen minutes), leading to the fantastic fugal writing that is the Finale, Hamelin a mix of flamboyance and poise, keyboard scorched, music lucid. The early C-major Sonata leaps off the page to showcase the young composer’s joie de vivre (surprisingly the first movement repeat is omitted, not so in the ‘Hammerklavier’) and capacity to surprise. All very fine then, as produced by Andrew Keener, and with Oscar Torres’s excellent sound, Hyperion CDA68456 is recommended.

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