This disc makes clear that the compositional rigour Edwin Roxburgh invests in his orchestral music (9/06) is no less evident in that for piano. Indebted as Homage to Debussy might be for both its concept and titles, the actual pieces are anything but slavishly imitative: not least “Reflets dans la glace”, its scintillating interplay of texture and sonority finely realised by the Tong Duo. If Six Etudes and Prelude and Toccata are less evocative, this hardly lessens admiration for either the former’s technical ingenuity or the latter’s reinvention of a hallowed archetype. The Piano Sonata is equally questing in its take on a standard format – the first section laying out musical motifs that the second freely combines and contrasts, before the final section fuses them into a stretto of propulsive energy. Roxburgh is no less adept in working to a simpler remit, thus the affectionately stylised Spanishness of Les miroirs de Miró and quizzical humour of Two Pieces. The two final works are from the outset of his career, with Labyrinth a resourceful exploration of keyboard extremes and Introduction and Arabesques a witty investigation of music in search of its own form.

Music that requires great skill and insight finds it in these artists (several of whom are former Roxburgh pupils): in particular, Peter O’Hagen’s account of the Sonata is a tour de force of intelligent virtuosity. Superbly detailed sound and informative notes from the composer. A disc spilling over with options for inquiring performers.