Debussy's Preludes

[Josquin des Prez]

You haven't said who brought to you to him, then. Was it Zimerman?

Zimerman and Laurent Aimard. Mind you, i wouldn't haphazard to argue those are the best interpreters of this music, i don't have that kind of familiarity with Debussy as of yet, but they surely did the trick where Gieseking didn't.

[Tyson]

Giesking never moved me, nor did Bolet, Zimerman, Uchida, Michelangeli.  It was only after I heard Paul Jacobs that I really connected with this music.

[springrite]

Giesking never moved me, nor did Bolet, Zimerman, Uchida, Michelangeli.  It was only after I heard Paul Jacobs that I really connected with this music.

Well I did enjoy the Zimerman and Michelangeli, I also have Paul Jacobs to thank for my love of Debussy. His Debussy is something special indeed.

[Josquin des Prez]

It was only after I heard Paul Jacobs that I really connected with this music.

Interesting. I have his Schoenberg recording and it is absolutely amazing, desert island level even though the music itself is not. I had his Debussy on my amazon wish list for a while but for a time my interests were being diverted else where so i never made the purchase. I think i'll use this as an excuse to finalize my order.

[Holden]

The first pianist to turn me on to Debussy was Richter and his BBC recordings of the Preludes. While Michelangeli also sounded good he didn't convince like Richter did. My latest acquisition is the Egorov box set and his Preludes, spread over two CDs, also sound very good to me and very close to Richter for top choice.

[vandermolen]

The first pianist to turn me on to Debussy was Richter and his BBC recordings of the Preludes. While Michelangeli also sounded good he didn't convince like Richter did. My latest acquisition is the Egorov box set and his Preludes, spread over two CDs, also sound very good to me and very close to Richter for top choice.

The piano teacher where I work says that Gieseking (sp?) is the best.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

The first pianist to turn me on to Debussy was Richter and his BBC recordings of the Preludes. While Michelangeli also sounded good he didn't convince like Richter did. My latest acquisition is the Egorov box set and his Preludes, spread over two CDs, also sound very good to me and very close to Richter for top choice.

Yes, Egorov is simply outstanding. Can't rate him highly enough. 

I'd also second the Thibaudet rec and add Moravec's selections. Plus Richter.

[George]

I have his Book I on the Pearl label, I believe from '38.....how are these transfers of the VAI, Todd?

I've compared them to the Pearl transfers and I must say the Pearl boasts a much better tone. Surprise! The VAI still is decent, though, as you can hear the surface noise throughout, but the higher frequencies are clearly rolled off. Some of this can be remedied by turning up the treble.

Did Pearl ever release Book 2 of Gieseking's early preludes? 

As for Zimerman, I like his set, even if it is way overpriced. Richter on BBC is absolutely fabulous!

[ezodisy]

Zimerman and Laurent Aimard. Mind you, i wouldn't haphazard to argue those are the best interpreters of this music, i don't have that kind of familiarity with Debussy as of yet, but they surely did the trick where Gieseking didn't.

Well perhaps you'll come to appreciate Gieseking's unique way with the music in due course. No one expects him to be the only introduction to it.

[E d o]

I seem to reach for my Kocsis box before Zimerman, Michelangeli or Gieseking with Debussy.

[Todd]

I recently was able to get my hands on Eric Heidsieck's recording of the first book of the Preludes - I also ordered the second, but it's apparently no longer available - and after several listens I must say that it is extremely fine.  Heidsieck plays around with tempi a lot, though generally more discreetly than in his Beethoven, and his tone is a bit metallic in the loudest passages, but he really delivers a wonderfully nuanced set.  It's right up there with Beroff (Denon) and Bavouzet as far as modern sets go, though the sound isn't as good as for those two.

[Philoctetes]

http://www.pianosociety.com/cms/index.php?section=397

I enjoy the above's take, and one cannot beat the price. Though she didn't do them all. I think it is well worth the listen.

[Peregrine]

Anyone heard Freire's latest disc with Book 1 of the Preludes and Children's corner?:



And whilst we're on the subject, has anyone heard Bavouzet playing Debussy?

[Todd]

Anyone heard Freire's latest disc with Book 1 of the Preludes and Children's corner?

Yes, and it's quite good.

To your second question, Bavouzet's set is even better. 

[Peregrine]

Yes, and it's quite good.

To your second question, Bavouzet's set is even better. 

Thanks, Todd, nice to read some comments. I've been looking at buying some Bavouzet for a while now, both his complete Ravel set and the Debussy discs, so perhaps I should just go for it and grab that first Debussy disc with the Preludes.

[Todd]

so perhaps I should just go for it and grab that first Debussy disc with the Preludes.

It's worth the money.  (His Ravel is even better, though.)

[George]

Michelangeli is great in this repertoire. I have really come to appreciate his work more and more over the years.

[DavidRoss]

Alain Planès on harmonia mundi is still my fave in this, despite the fine recent recordings released by Steven Osborne on hyperion and Pascal Rogé on Onyx.

[SonicMan46]

It's worth the money.  (His Ravel is even better, though.)

Hi Todd - I have Jean-Efflam Bavouzet in Ravel's piano music - love it!  Also own Louis Lortie in the same repertoire, although I've not made any 'back to back' comparisons - Bovouzet seems to be at the top of the heap in these performances.  Now in reviewing Amazon, I now see that Angela Hewitt has also recorded these works w/ great reviews on this site - can't imagine that she 'comes close' to the previous mentioned pianists - so just out of curiosity, have you heard Hewitt's Ravel recordings?

Now concerning Bavouzet and Debussy, I've purchased the first Chandos disc and LOVE it!  But, hey these CDs are not cheap - would love to see these packaged in a bargain set?  But again curious what your Debussy preferences may be in his 'solo' piano works?

Thanks for any comments - Dave 

 

[Todd]

so just out of curiosity, have you heard Hewitt's Ravel recordings?

Yes, and she's actually quite good.  I'm not a big Hewitt fan, but her clean, lean, rhythmically crisp playing pays dividends in a few works.  It's not tip-top drawer, but I can think of worse Ravel recordings.  (Keep in mind Abbey Simon's stupefyingly great set if you're looking for some great Ravel.)

Now concerning Bavouzet and Debussy...again curious what your Debussy preferences may be in his 'solo' piano works?

Bavouzet's set won't be issued as a budget box for years, nor should it.  The Preludes disc is actually the weakest disc in the set, with the most recent disc the best.

Favorites for all the major Debussy works is too much work right now.  Suffice it to say that the names I've mentioned thus far (Gieseking, Michelangeli, Ericourt, Beroff (on Denon), Bavouzet, and Heidsieck) are all superb.  Richter ain't too shabby either.