Debussy Etudes

[Mandryka]

I have listened to Bavouzet's (studio) Debussy Etudes CD a few times over the past few weeks.

This is elegant, sensitive, colourful, graceful, perfect poised playing. He is intense and committed. Dramatic even.

But I can't bring myself to love it.

To my ears it lacks the charisma of Samson Francois's performance -- Francois and Horowitz and Gieseking are my favourites in these Etudes, but I like Francois's style most of all.

Francois has wit and humour. Joy and charm.

I don't find those things so much in the Bavouzet CD -- not enough to make it one of my favourites.

My problem is that Francois only recorded 5 of the 12 Etudes (why?)

Is there anyone out there who knows a complete set of Debussy Etudes in the style of Samson Francois?

[George]

*awaits the first person to recommend Uchida*

[Todd]

I have no idea why Francois did what he did.  I do like him in Debussy, though.  I can't think of a complete set that reminds me of his approach.

I confess to really liking Gieseking here, and also Beroff on Denon.  Both are different from Francois, of course.  I also really like Bavouzet.

[Herman]

My problem is that Francois only recorded 5 of the 12 Etudes (why?)

He was gravely ill by the time he got to the etudes.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

*awaits the first person to recommend Uchida*

Have you laid a trap for this person?

Ok, I'll admit it: I like her. Thibaudet, too.

[George]

Have you laid a trap for this person?

Ok, I'll admit it: I like her. Thibaudet, too.

I like her too. I suspected her name would come up, for hers are by far the most oft-recommended set. I bet admiralackbar would love this CD.

[canninator]

*awaits the first person to recommend Uchida*

Ha ha, I saw the title of the thread and it was the first word that entered my head. I've listened to many Etudes over the years and it the one I always go back to.

[val]

Gieseking is my favorite interpreter of the Etudes, and in general all of Debussy's piano music. With him Debussy's music seems free of structural restraints, more natural, a if he was creating it in every moment. That doesn't mean absence of balance or global vision. Besides, with the exception of François, I never heard a perspective so human, dramatic, of this works.

Crossley is the exact opposite. A fabulous technique, with everything sounding clear, good dynamic, but - at least this is my perception - with a complete absence of soul.

I have not heard Bavouzet yet.

[Mandryka]

Gieseking is my favorite interpreter of the Etudes, and in general all of Debussy's piano music. With him Debussy's music seems free of structural restraints, more natural, a if he was creating it in every moment. That doesn't mean absence of balance or global vision. Besides, with the exception of François, I never heard a perspective so human, dramatic, of this works.

Crossley is the exact opposite. A fabulous technique, with everything sounding clear, good dynamic, but - at least this is my perception - with a complete absence of soul.

I have not heard Bavouzet yet.

I think we agree -- and I hope you're not ultimately disappointed by Bavouzet as I was (it is worth hearing though)

The only one who approaches the humanity and platicity of François and Gieseking that I know  is Horowitz -- but the recordings are too old and too noisy and anyway he only did four of them. But they are good.

One whom no one has mentioned is Vedernikov. I seem to remember that in some of those Etudes he is outstanding, and in some he's grim. I'll try to listen again to him and Uchida sometime soon and post what I think.

[admiralackbar74]

George, thanks for the recommendation on Uchida. That's a disc I've been meaning to pick up for a while now. Might she be a good addition to the "Pianistic Perfectionism" thread?

I've heard Thibaudet in these and remember enjoying them. I also heard Pascal Roge play some of them live once. That was a great experience. They really should be heard more often.

I listened to Gieseking once a long time back as well. The sound quality is always my hold-up with Gieseking. I appreciate the qualities he brings to the music, no doubt, but I always have this nagging inclination to hear Debussy in state-of-the-art sound. No fault of his own, but I feel that Gieseking's recording lacks the depth of color necessary to really enjoy Debussy. But I may be alone in my thinking on this.

I, too, have not yet heard Bavouzet.

[Mandryka]

George, thanks for the recommendation on Uchida. That's a disc I've been meaning to pick up for a while now. Might she be a good addition to the "Pianistic Perfectionism" thread?

I've heard Thibaudet in these and remember enjoying them. I also heard Pascal Roge play some of them live once. That was a great experience. They really should be heard more often.

I listened to Gieseking once a long time back as well. The sound quality is always my hold-up with Gieseking. I appreciate the qualities he brings to the music, no doubt, but I always have this nagging inclination to hear Debussy in state-of-the-art sound. No fault of his own, but I feel that Gieseking's recording lacks the depth of color necessary to really enjoy Debussy. But I may be alone in my thinking on this.

I, too, have not yet heard Bavouzet.

You can hear Gieseking play Debussy and other nice things with state of the art sound here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gieseking-Plays-Debussy-Ravel-Schumann/dp/B00004SPO8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1250775651&sr=8-1

It's worth knowing just to help you enjoy the historical recordings more -- you can imagine better what the piano really sounded like.

What a shame Gieseking didn't record the Etudes before the war. His pre war Debussy is, I think, way more interesting than the 50s set of Preludes and Images.  But as far as I know, the 50s Etudes is all we have.

[admiralackbar74]

I didn't realize that Pollini had recorded the Debussy Etudes. How do others rate Pollini's Debussy in general? (I haven't heard any of it.)

[George]

George, thanks for the recommendation on Uchida. That's a disc I've been meaning to pick up for a while now. Might she be a good addition to the "Pianistic Perfectionism" thread?

Absolutely. My apologies for not mentioning here there, if I didn't. I only have her Mozart Sonatas and Debussy Etudes, so keep that in mind.   

[Henk]

Planes maybe? I have this set:



There is also a set with preludes.

Comparing with Bavouzet his playing is more lyrical, more virtuoso. I myself probably prefer Bavouzet. It leaves some space (for creating my own version).