‘Bach is to the pianist what the barre is to the dancer,” writes Lise de la Salle, and there is indeed something dancerly in the dynamism and precision she brings to the music on this disc. The starting point is an account of JS Bach’s Italian Concerto that comes crackling out of the speakers, bright and crisp – and Busoni’s arrangement of Bach’s great D minor violin chaconne forms an impressive centrepiece, its tension maintained throughout its entire 15-minute span. The other works take Bach as direct inspiration. The one that dominates is Liszt’s fiery Fantasy and Fugue, based on the letters of the composer’s name – we hear a lot of those four notes on this disc – but we also get sparky Poulenc, intriguing Roussel, and some specially written miniatures by Thomas Enhco including a four-hands number with a jazzy sweep. It’s quite a mix, but De la Salle’s compelling playing makes it hang together.
