Debussy's Corner

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

He's expressing something beyond the words, something sublime and exalted.

Yes.

[Madiel]

Words aren't "real" in the first place, though. The meaning of words is constructed.

I find it very odd to describe words, even poetry, in deliberately mundane terms just so that music can be labelled as sublime. Why aren't words sublime?

One can love music without fetishising it or putting down other art forms.

[Mandryka]

You know, it basically just means the playing is slow.

I think that what happens in moments where there is a consensus that time stands still is that there is movement and stasis near or simultaneous  - the emphasis here on "think" because really I'll need more time to think about it and I could be wrong. It's something I'm interested in because in some of Ferneyhough's music there are moments where time stands still - it sort of emerges out of all the busy complexity. His string trio is an example. That's why I'm keen to explore it (I like Ferneyhough!)

[Mandryka]

Live from Wigmore Hall here. Stephen Osborne. Etudes. Being broadcast on bbc. He's about to come on. Electric atmosphere of anticipation.

Watch this space for updates.

First six done. Metaphysical moments where time stands still. Big symphonic treatment. Not sure about this .

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Live from Wigmore Hall here. Stephen Osborne. Etudes. Being broadcast on bbc. He's about to come on. Electric atmosphere of anticipation.

Watch this space for updates.

Thanks for telling us about this; I just turned it on (via computer). 

PD

[Mandryka]

Conclusion. Impeccable playing of course. Not much magic. I suspect the big approach isn't my style - big piano is wrong possibly (a real monster Steinway)

Now having tea in The Wallace Collection caf.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Conclusion. Impeccable playing of course. Not much magic. I suspect the big approach isn't my style - big piano is wrong possibly (a real monster Steinway)

Now having tea in The Wallace Collection caf.

That's what I (sadly) felt too.  Not my cuppa tea; however, enjoy yours!  Any sandwiches, etc. to go with it?

PD

[Mandryka]

That's what I (sadly) felt too.  Not my cuppa tea; however, enjoy yours!  Any sandwiches, etc. to go with it?

PD

Banana bread.

Good you tuned in. At the end of the day I blame the piano. It's ok for Beethoven but it doesn't do Debussy any favours.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Claude Debussy Arranged for Ten-Stringed Guitar. Anders Miolin.

Not a most sophisticated performance or sharp execution. But for some reason, the music sings and shines. Sounds atmospheric and very attractive.

[Irons]

A ridiculous cover image of the composer, but within the CD box some excellent Debussy. Including an outstanding Preludes (both sets) played by Michel Beroff.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Present the music as a suggestion of something ineffable which lies behind the real, rather than as a picture of the real. I've not heard the CD in question but I think Kars is quite a metaphysical Debussian.

Yes, the Kars is very good. Aura.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Enjoying Korstick's albums. Lyrical music with great rhythmic sense. Nice performance.

[Florestan]

Present the music as a suggestion of something ineffable which lies behind the real, rather than as a picture of the real.

The above strikes me as the exact opposite of her music is worldly, rather than metaphysical, which is what you purportedly tried to explain by the above. I'm greatly puzzled.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

The above strikes me as the exact opposite of her music is worldly, rather than metaphysical, which is what you purportedly tried to explain by the above. I'm greatly puzzled.

Forgive him, people in his country don't speak English like you and I.

[Madiel]

Forgive him, people in his country don't speak English like you and I.

I think it's most unfortunate that you ascribe the idiosyncrasies of one very particular person to an entire nation.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

I think it's most unfortunate that you ascribe the idiosyncrasies of one very particular person to an entire nation.

Forgive me, the education I had is not as good as yours.

[George]

Gieseking's pre-war Debussy, and his smattering of post-war radio broadcast Debussy, are better than his EMI set, but that written, his EMI set is still one of the benchmark sets, at least in my estimation, plus it's a(n almost) complete set.  For me, the best Gieseking Debussy is:

Great performances for sure, though I prefer the transfers in the Great Pianist series.

[Madiel]

Forgive me, the education I had is not as good as yours.

What's it got to do with education?

Mandryka speaks perfect English. His ideas are weird, not his English.

[Mandryka]

The above strikes me as the exact opposite of her music is worldly, rather than metaphysical, which is what you purportedly tried to explain by the above. I'm greatly puzzled.

What do you think of my "Present the music as a suggestion of something ineffable which lies behind the real, rather than as a picture of the real." as an account of what Debussy's up to in the poem/music relation in that song I mentioned,  L'ombre des arbres from Ariettes oubliées?

[Florestan]

Mandryka speaks perfect English. His ideas are weird, not his English.

Mandryka is English, that's why I took DBK's remark as a witticism and not as an insult.