Debussy's Corner

[bwv 1080]

I've read through this thread and don't really see any recommendations (recordings) for Debussy's piano music. Was wondering if anyone could steer me in the right direction on this. Thanks...

Arrau or Moravec is a good place to start - both are budget discs. (& the Chopin on the Moravec disc is also top-notch)

[Dancing Divertimentian]

I've read through this thread and don't really see any recommendations (recordings) for Debussy's piano music. Was wondering if anyone could steer me in the right direction on this. Thanks...

You're likely to have better luck on the Recordings board.

Try this thread.

[haydnguy]

Thanks! 

[The new erato]

I see Giesekings recordings are available on a new, soon-to-be-released EMI Icons box.

[haydnguy]

I see Giesekings recordings are available on a new, soon-to-be-released EMI Icons box.

Thanks, I'll keep an eye out for it!!

[karlhenning]

This is outstanding:

[haydnguy]

This is outstanding:

Thanks Karl, it's in my cart.

[jwinter]

A while back at Berkshire Record Outlet I picked up Martino Tirimo's 4 disc set of the piano music for a pittance, and it is surprisingly good.  Very nice modern recordings, and well-reviewed by the Penguin Guide (if you put any weight behind that sort of thing).  Well worth your time if you find it in a bargain bin somewhere...

[George]

I've read through this thread and don't really see any recommendations (recordings) for Debussy's piano music. Was wondering if anyone could steer me in the right direction on this. Thanks...

Favorites in bold:

Any - Moravec, Michelangeli

Etudes- Uchida
Preludes - Gieseking (mono), Richter (live BBC), Zimmerman

[Enkhbat Natsagdorj]

I am huge fan of him.

[haydnguy]

I am huge fan of him.

I stuck my toe in the water with:

[haydnguy]

I have to report so far that I'm very satisfied with the Roge "double decker" for the Piano Works. I believe David Ross said back in August that it is a nice one for a "lighter touch" and I really can that I'm thoroughly enjoying it.   

I am also satisfied with the Orchestral Works I and II. I've only listened to II once but have listened to I several times and am happy with it.

The Beroff/Collard disk has not arrived yet.

[George]

I have to report so far that I'm very satisfied with the Roge "double decker" for the Piano Works. I believe David Ross said back in August that it is a nice one for a "lighter touch" and I really can that I'm thoroughly enjoying it.   

Roge's Satie is my favorite. You may wish to check him out there as well.

[haydnguy]

I certainly will George, thanks!

[karlhenning]

I am also satisfied with the Orchestral Works I and II. I've only listened to II once but have listened to I several times and am happy with it.

The Beroff/Collard disk has not arrived yet.

I like Martinon I very well, and should probably spring for II at some point.

The Béroff/Collard recording, I've been playing at least some of every week since it arrived.  Listened to most of disc 1 yesterday, in fact.

[haydnguy]

Debussy: A World Revealed In Two Footsteps

NPR.org, February 18, 2009 - Composer Claude Debussy was not a natural at the piano. At first, he struggled to learn to love the instrument.

But as he continued to write piano music, Debussy started trying new things, new sounds. He seemed to want to take the piano to places it had never been before.

Where did he take it? The answer, commentator Rob Kapilow tells Performance Today host Fred Child, can be found in a tiny, quiet prelude called Footsteps in the Snow.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100814333

[greg]

Debussy: A World Revealed In Two Footsteps

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100814333

That was a nice program.

[Ten thumbs]

Really? I remember reading that Debussy was, at best, a good amateur pianist who still struggled with some of his more difficult preludes.

You may find the following of interest:
http://www.djupdal.org/karstein/debussy/pianist/p02.shtml

Stravinsky persuaded Debussy to join him in playing his arrangement of The Rite of Spring for one piano, four hands. I haven't seen this score but I can't imagine it being easy, especially on a first reading.

[greg]

You may find the following of interest:
http://www.djupdal.org/karstein/debussy/pianist/p02.shtml

Stravinsky persuaded Debussy to join him in playing his arrangement of The Rite of Spring for one piano, four hands. I haven't seen this score but I can't imagine it being easy, especially on a first reading.

I always wondered about that. Seems like it'd be too difficult to pull off- but if he did, he's not so bad.

[Benji]

A reminder for anyone who enjoyed the disc of Debussy preludes orchestrated by Colin Matthews (Hallé - Mark Elder) - the disc with the other half of the preludes is out this weekend.

Anyone familiar with that disc will recall that Matthews has arranged his orchestrations of the preludes in a different order to Debussy's original ordering of the sets. Matthews' first set of arrangements ends with the famous Prelude No.8 from Book 1 'La fille aux cheveux de lin', with which he took additional liberties in slowing the tempo to half of normal. I suspect this would sharply divide Debussy fans, but I rather liked the effect and with Matthews' string-rich orchestration the music could have easily been long-lost Vaughan Williams.

Well, on looking at the track listing for the next set of orchestrations, I see that Matthews is ending with what is perhaps the strongest of all the Preludes (and certainly my favourite) No.10 from Book I 'La cathédrale engloutie' and I am bursting to know how he treats it!