2021 was the centenary of the death of Camille Saint-Saëns. As a result, we have seen a substantial amount of his music appearing over the past 12 months. Famously prolific during a very long career, Saint-Saëns kept composing into his 80s. As a young progressive, he was one of the few French composers to embrace the Germanic form of the symphony. Several of his works, such as Danse Macabre, the “Organ” Symphony (No 3), and Carnival of the Animals have remained in the repertoire for over a century. Most of his music is available on record with two exceptions: the genres of opera (apart from Samson and Delilah), and his works for solo piano. Australian-born pianist Antony Gray’s new releases help to fill the latter gap.

While not a touring performer like Liszt, Saint-Saëns had a reputation as a brilliant pianist. It is perplexing that, concertos aside, his keyboard output seems such a secondary part of his oeuvre. His best-known piano works, three sets of Six Etudes, were mid-late pieces inspired by Liszt. (They are...