Debussy: Children's Corner; Pour le piano

On this CD:

1. Pour le piano, suite for piano, L. 95
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Jean-Bernard Pommier

2. Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum, for piano, L. 113/1
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Jean-Bernard Pommier

3. Jimbo's Lullaby, for piano, L. 113/2
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Jean-Bernard Pommier

4. Serenade for the doll, for piano, L. 113/3
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Jean-Bernard Pommier

5. The Snow is Dancing, for piano, L. 113
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Jean-Bernard Pommier

6. The Little Shepherd, for piano, L. 113/5
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Jean-Bernard Pommier

7. Golliwogg's Cakewalk, for piano, L. 113/6
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Jean-Bernard Pommier

8. Pagodes, for piano, L. 100/1
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Jean-Bernard Pommier

9. La soirée dans Grenade, for piano, L. 100/2
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Jean-Bernard Pommier

10. Jardins sous la pluie, for piano L. 100/3
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Jean-Bernard Pommier

11. La plus que lente, waltz for piano (or orchestra), L. 121
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Jean-Bernard Pommier

12. Arabesques (2) for piano, L. 66
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Jean-Bernard Pommier

13. Arabesques (2) for piano, L. 66
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Jean-Bernard Pommier

14. Pièce pour piano, L. 133
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Jean-Bernard Pommier

15. L'isle joyeuse, for piano, L. 106
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Jean-Bernard Pommier

Tracks:

Suite Bergamasque: Prelude
Suite Bergamasque: Menuet
Suite Bergamasque: Clair de lune
Suite Bergamasque: Passepied
Children's Corner: Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum
Children's Corner: Jimbo's Lullaby
Children's Corner: Serenade For The Doll
Children's Corner: The Snow Is Dancing
Children's Corner: The Little Shepherd
Children's Corner: Golliwogg's Cakewalk
Images - Premier Livre: Reflets dans l'eau
Images - Premier Livre: Hommage a Rameau
Images - Premier Livre: Mouvement
Images - Deuxieme Livre: Cloches ravers les feuiles
Images - Deuxieme Livre: Et la lune descend sur le temple qui fut
Images - Deuxieme Livre: Poissons d'or
Deux Arabesques: Andantino con moto
Deux Arabesques: Allegretto scherzando

Tracks:

Prdes - Premier Livre: Danseuses de Delphe
Prdes - Premier Livre: Voiles
Prdes - Premier Livre: Le Vent dans la plaine
Prdes - Premier Livre: Les sons et les parfums tournent dans l'air du soir
Prdes - Premier Livre: Les Collines d'Anacapri
Prdes - Premier Livre: Des pas sur la neige
Prdes - Premier Livre: Ce qu'a vu le vent d'ouest
Prdes - Premier Livre: La Fille aux cheveux de lin
Prdes - Premier Livre: La Snade interrompue
Prdes - Premier Livre: La Cathale engloutie
Prdes - Premier Livre: La Danse de Puck
Prdes - Premier Livre: Minstrels
Pour le piano: Prde
Pour le piano: Sarabande
Pour le piano: Toccata
Estampes: Pagodes
Estampes: La Soirdans Grenade
Estampes: Jardins sous la pluie
L'isle joyeuse
Rrie

Customer Reviews:

of the 6 or 7 recordings .......2007-05-10

I've heard of Debussy's wonderful solo piano music, Pascal roge is the finest. the only one you need actually.

One of the best Debussy performances I've heard........2006-10-12

There's obviously hundreds of options if you're just "looking for some Debussy", but keep in mind that the $3 CDs at Best Buy are $3 for a reason: They don't put any money into the production. It's near impossible to enjoy such amazing works as this if it's being recorded on a cheap microphone across the room from an amateur clanking away on an upright piano!

Great recording, great performances. I don't know what the other reviewer was talking about with the "volume problems", this CD is actually mastered a little bit louder than most of the genre.

Luminescent performances of Debussy's piano music! .......2005-03-30

I bought this CD on the suggestion of a former piano professor with whom I studied. I'm really glad I followed his suggestion.

It's a rare performer who can take pieces that we've heard over and over and OVER again, and bring something fresh to them. Pascal Rogé has pulled this off -- and then some!

Of the two CD set, I really can't tell which is my favorite: I'll play one CD, and listen to it over and over again and decide that one is my favorite; then I listen to the other one and the same thing happens!

Which piece is the best? It's really difficult to tell, simply because the playing throughout is of such high caliber! L'isle joyeuse is ecstatic -- the timing of the phrases, the colors achieved are almost miraculous! (This is my favorite performance of L'isle joyeuse, hands down!) Le vent dans la plaine actually conveys the idea of wind moving over a plain; Ce qu'a vu le vent d'ouest (What the West Wind Has Seen) is just downright creepy in a musical description of an extratropical storm (what was a hurricane, until it lost its tropical characteristics -- but not its wind and the potential for damage).

And then, by contrast, Rogé's performance of Debussy's Toccata has the necessary dryness to pull off the feeling of a clavecin and yet conveys a vivid sense of tonal color!

I've had the CD a week, and I can already tell this is going to be one of my very favorite CDs. I've heard Horowitz and Gieseking playing these pieces, as well -- the Rogé is definitely my favorite. If you're going to buy a comprehensive CD of Debussy's piano music -- this one is the one to get!

one of my favorites.......2004-10-27

I am a young, yet avid, piano fan, and when I began playing Debussy last year I knew I had to get a cd. This cd is really amazing, the whole Children's Corner Suite is so much fun to listen to and each song is true to it's title. I would highly recommend this, both cds have earned themselves in my nightly rotation of classical music, and will continue to fill the boring hours of homework with amazing background music.

A great performance by a great pianist.......2002-01-31

If you ask me - they ought to put Pascal Roge in the series of "Great Pianists of the 20th century". His recordings of Debussy, Ravel and Satie's piano music are among the best I know for these composers, if not the very best. Roge's tender touch is especially good for their dreamy, hovering style. Indeed, in pieces like "l'Isle Joyeuse" I prefer Horowitz's powerful dynamism, and Roge sounds a little pale - but these are the exceptions, not the rule. His performance of the "Reverie" - in my view Debussy's best work and one of the masterpieces of piano music in all times - is touching, exciting, lovely; and so is the "Clair de lune" and many other pieces. Most recommended.

Average customer rating:

Debussy is the BEST
Beautiful!
Debussy IS for Relaxation

Debussy for Relaxation

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

$7.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
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Rachmaninoff for Relaxation
Chopin For Relaxation
Mozart for Relaxation
Vivaldi for Relaxation
Beethoven for Relaxation

ASIN: B00000IFOY
Release Date: 1999-04-13

Tracks:

For Relaxation: Prelude: L'Apres-midi d'un faune (Prelude To The Afternoon Of A Faun)
For Relaxation: Suite Bergamasque: 3 - Clair de Lune
For Relaxation: Reverie
For Relaxation: Preludes, Book 1 No. 4: Les sons et les parfums tournent dans l'air du soir (Sounds And Perfumes Stir In The Evening Air)
For Relaxation: Quartet In G Minor, Op. 10: 3 - Andantino, doucement expressif
For Relaxation: Fantaisie pour piano et orchestre: 2 - Lento et molto espressivo
For Relaxation: La plus que lente
For Relaxation: Nocturnes: Nuages (Clouds)
For Relaxation: Preludes, Book 1 No. 8: La fille aux cheveux de lin (The Girl With The Flaxen Hair)
For Relaxation: Children's Corner: V - Le petit berger (The Little Shepherd)
For Relaxation: Pour le piano: Sarabande
For Relaxation: Danse sacree et danse profane

Customer Reviews:

Debussy is the BEST.......2002-03-05

This CD is Excellent for relaxing. I listen to it every night.

Beautiful!.......2001-03-14

If you are new to Debussy, this CD is great to start. If you are already a fan, this CD is the perfect weekend companion. It features a well chosen selection of pieces from several of his works, both orchestral and solo piano. Best of all (as the title indicates) these pieces are all adagio/lento that are pleasant to listen to and relax... It is also very well priced, so it is a good CD to recommend.

Debussy IS for Relaxation.......2000-06-13

This CD's title says it all - just for relaxation.

Debussy is for soul searching time, contemplation of the universe or just vegging out.

Tracks:

Reverie
Prelude
Menuet
Clair De Lune
Passepied
Lent (Melancolique Et Doux)
Tres Vite
Prelude
Sarabande
Toccata
Reflets Dans L'eau
Hommage A Rameau
Mouvement
Cloches A Travers Les Feuilles
Et La Lune Descend Sur Le Temple Qui Fut
Poissons D'or

Tracks:

Arabesque No.1
Arabesque No.2
Danse Bohemienne
Ballade Slave
Tarantelle Styrienne
Valse Romantique
Mazurka
Nocturne
Danseuses De Delphes
Voiles
Le Vent Dans La Plaine
Les Sons Et Les Parfums
Les Collines D'Anacapri
Des Pas Sur La Neige
Ce Qu'a Vu Le Vent D'Ouest
La Fille Aux Cheveux De Lin
La Serenade Interrompue
La Cathedrale Engloutie
La Danse De Puck
Minstrels

Tracks:

L'isle Joyeuse
Pagodes
La Soiree Dans Grenade
Jardins Sous La Pluie
D'un Cahier D'esquisses
Morceau De Concours
Masques
Brouillards
Feuilles Mortes
La Puerta Del Vino
Les Fees Sont D'exquises Danseuses
Bruyeres
General Lavine - Eccentric
Les Terraces Des Audiences
Ondine
Hommage A S. Pickwick Esq. PPMPC
Canope
Les Tierces Alternees
Feux D'artifice

Tracks:

Doctor Gradus Ad Parnassum
Jimbo's Lullaby
Serenade For The Doll
The Snow Is Dancing
The Little Shepherd
Golliwog's Cake-Walk
Hommage A Haydn
Le Petit Negre
La Plus Que Lente
Berceuse Heroique
Elegie
Page D'album (Piece Pour Le Vetement Du Blesse)
Pour Les Cinq Doigts
Pour Les Tierces
Pour Les Quartes
Pour Les Sixtes
Pour Les Octaves
Pour Les Huit Doigts
Pour Les Degres Chromatiques
Pour Les Agrements
Pour Les Notes Repetees
Pour Les Sonoritees Opposees
Pour Les Arpeges Composes
Pour Les Accords

Customer Reviews:

Debussy with a difference!.......2007-03-10

Do not let the dismissive review below make you dismiss this amazing and breath taking complete set. Like his Scriabin recordings, Gordon Fergus-Thompson works wonder with the well known piece like Clair de Lune, Arabesque and Reverie, and breathes new life into the music by his keen sense of tonal colours and delicacy. When it comes to impressionist music, no pianists can match Richter, who played Clair de Lune, Pavane or miroirs like a miracle, but Fergus-Thompson creats his own unique soundscape.

He is one of very few pianists alive who pay careful attention to how a note produced on the instrument decays and merges with other notes, while most of pianist nowadays focus mostly on starting point of the sound. That's a secret of the richness of colours and expression in his pianism.

He is often criticised for lack of technical prowess, compared to past masters like Gieseking or Michelangeli, but I can not detect even a hint of technical weakness or instability in this set. This is simply a different and highly personal interpretation, and it is a shame to miss out this magical music making simply because it is different from the mainstream interpretation.

One Star for Charity's Sake.......2007-03-01

Avoid this set!!! The man is a gifted pianist but has no understanding on how to interpret the music. This is the nadir of all the Debussy piano sets. With Walter Gieseking's superlative set available why would you want dog food when you can eat supreme cuisine!!!

Beautifully interpreted.......2007-02-13

Gordon Fergus-Thompson does an amazing job of playing and interpreting Debussy's music. I have been playing piano for years--especially Debussy--and this CD really captures the essence of the music. I'd recommend this to anyone.

Complete Debussy.......2006-12-13

These recordings are some of the highest quality Debussy you'll find. There is a freedom that comes across in Fergus-Thompson's playing that you won't find in other so-called great recordings. Instead of trying to sound "Debussy-like", the music is played naturally while maintaining accuracy and original intent of the composer. Recording quality is up to date. Box set is 4 discs, with the body nicely separated into larger works with dates included.

Average customer rating:

Claude Debussy is largely responsible for my love of classical music.

Debussy: Piano Music

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
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Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue; Falla: Nights in the Gardens of Spain; Franck: Symphonic Variations

ASIN: B00008PX9H
Release Date: 2003-04-01

Customer Reviews:

Claude Debussy is largely responsible for my love of classical music........2007-01-08

I work in a bookstore, and, like all large bookstores eventually get around to doing, we sell music. One day, looking to broaden my horizons, I asked a co-worker if he cared to recommend something. He handed me this disc - at $6.99, who can say no? - and I took his word for it, on the strength of "Claire de Lune," which was to my knowledge the only Debussy I'd heard prior to buying this disc. Imagine my surprise as I discovered the total beauty of everything Claude laid down on paper... There is a wealth of music on this disc, but my favorites would have to be "Deux Arabesques" and "Children's Corner" (and, of course, "Claire de Lune" - possibly the most beautiful piece of music ever written). I am not acquainted with anything else Phillipe Entremont has done, but he does a spectacular job with the music, adding in his own subtle flair. I play this disc at work all the time, now. Go for it!

Average customer rating:

Murky
Debussy and Gieseking
EMI IS ATROCIOUS!!!!!!!!!
Hello Sky, Hello Trees
sound quality of recording very average

Debussy: The Complete Works For Piano

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000002S6Z
Release Date: 1997-01-21

Tracks:

Prdes Book I: I. Danseuses de Delphes (Lent et grave) - Walter Gieseking
Prdes Book I: II. Voiles (Mod) - Walter Gieseking
Prdes Book I: III. Le vent dans Ia plaine (Anim- Walter Gieseking
Prdes Book I: IV. Les sons et les parfums tournent dans l'air du soir (Mod) - Walter Gieseking
Prdes Book I: V. Les collines d'Anacapri (Trmod) - Walter Gieseking
Prdes Book I: VI. Des pas sur la neige (Triste et lent) - Walter Gieseking
Prdes Book I: VII. Ce qu'a vu le vent d'Ouest (Animt tumultueux) - Walter Gieseking
Prdes Book I: VIII. La fille aux cheveux de lin (Trcalme et doucement expressif) - Walter Gieseking
Prdes Book I: IX. La snade interrompue (Modment anim- Walter Gieseking
Prdes Book I: X. La cathale engloutie (Profondnt calme) - Walter Gieseking
Prdes Book I: Xl. La danse de Puck (Capricieux et lr) - Walter Gieseking
Prdes Book I: XII. Minstrels (Mod) - Walter Gieseking
Prdes Book II: I. Brouillards (Mod) - Walter Gieseking
Prdes Book II: II. Feuilles mortes (Lent et mncolique) - Walter Gieseking
Prdes Book II: III. La Puerta del Vino (Mouvement de Habanera) - Walter Gieseking
Prdes Book II: IV. Les f sont d'exquises danseuses (Rapide et lr) - Walter Gieseking
Prdes Book II: V. Bruys (Calme) - Walter Gieseking
Prdes Book II: VI. General Lavine - eccentric (Dans le style et le mouvement d'un Cakewalk) - Walter Gieseking
Prdes Book II: VII. Le terrasse des audiences du clair de lune (Lent) - Walter Gieseking
Prdes Book II: VIII. Ondine (Scherzando) - Walter Gieseking
Prdes Book II: IX. Hommage . Pickwick, Esq., P.P.M.P.C. (Grave) - Walter Gieseking
Prdes Book II: X. Canope (Trcalme et doucement triste) - Walter Gieseking
Prdes Book II: XI. Les tierces altern (Modment anim- Walter Gieseking
Prdes Book II: XlI. Feux d'artifice (Modment anim- Walter Gieseking

Tracks:

Pour le piano: I. Prde (Assez anime et tres rythme) - C. Debussy
Pour le piano: II. Sarabande (Aved une elegance grave et lente) - C. Debussy
Pour le piano: III. Toccata (Vif) - C. Debussy
Estampes: I. Pagodes (Moderement anime) - C. Debussy
Estampes: II. La soirdans Grenade (Mouvement de Habanera) - C. Debussy
Estampes: III. Jardins sous la pluie (Net et vif) - C. Debussy
Images, Set I: I. Reflets dans l'eau (Andantino molto) - C. Debussy
Images, Set I: II. Hommage ameau (Lent et grave) - C. Debussy
Images, Set I: III. Mouvement (Anime) - C. Debussy
Images, Set II: I. Cloches ravers les feuilles (Lent) - C. Debussy
Images, Set II: II. Et la lune descend sur le temple qui fut (Lent) - C. Debussy
Images, Set II: III. Poissons d'or (Anime) - C. Debussy
Children's Corner: I. Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum (Moderement anime) - C. Debussy
Children's Corner: II. Jimbo's Lullaby (Assez modere) - C. Debussy
Children's Corner: III. Serenade for the Doll (Allegretto ma non troppo) - C. Debussy
Children's Corner: IV. The Snow is Dancing (Moderement anime) - C. Debussy
Children's Corner: X. The Little Shepherd (Tres modere) - C. Debussy
Children's Corner: VI. Golliwogg's Cakewalk (Allegro giusto) - C. Debussy

Tracks:

12 Etudes: I. Pour les cinq doigts (d'apres Monsieur Czerny) (Sagement) - C. Debussy
12 Etudes: II. Pour les tierces (Moderato, ma non troppo) - C. Debussy
12 Etudes: III. Pour les quartes (Andantino com moto) - C. Debussy
12 Etudes: IV. Pour les sixtes (Lento) - C. Debussy
12 Etudes: V. Pour les octaves (Joyeaux et emporte, librement rythme) - C. Debussy
12 Etudes: VI. Pour les huit doigts (Vivamente, molto leggiero e legato) - C. Debussy
12 Etudes: VII. Pour les degrchromatiques (Scherzando, animato assai) - C. Debussy
12 Etudes: VIII. Pour les agrnts (Lento, rubato e leggiero) - C. Debussy
12 Etudes: IX. Pour les notes rt (Scherzando) - C. Debussy
12 Etudes: X. Pour les sonoritoppos (Modere, sans lenteur) - C. Debussy
12 Etudes: XI. Pour les arps compos(Dolce e lusingando) - C. Debussy
12 Etudes: XI. Pour les accords (Dedide, rythme, sans lourdeur) - C. Debussy
Masques (Tres vif et fantasque) - C. Debussy
D'un cahier d'esquisses (Tres lent-sans rigueur) - C. Debussy
L'Isle joyeuse (Quasi una cadenza - Tempo : Modere et tres souple) - C. Debussy
La plus que lente (Lent - Molto rubato con morbidezza) - C. Debussy
Le petit negre (Cakewalk. Allegro giusto) - C. Debussy
Berceuse heroique (Modere - sans lenteur) - C. Debussy
Hommage aydn (Mouvement de Valse lente) - C. Debussy

Tracks:

Suite Bergamasque: I. Prde (Moderato - tempo rubato) - C. Debussy
Suite Bergamasque: II. Meneut (Andantino) - C. Debussy
Suite Bergamasque: III. Clair de lune (Andante tres expressif) - C. Debussy
Suite Bergamasque: IV. Passepied (Allegretto ma non troppo) - C. Debussy
Danse bohenne (Allegro) - C. Debussy
Rrie (Andantino sans lenteur) - C. Debussy
Mazurka (Scherzando - assez anime) - C. Debussy
Valse romantique (Tempo di valse - Allegro moderato) - C. Debussy
Deux Arabesques: I. Andantino con moto - C. Debussy
Deux Arabesques: II. Allegretto scherzando - C. Debussy
Nocturne en re bemol majeur - in D flat - Des-dur - C. Debussy
Danse (Tarentelle styrienne) (Allegretto) - C. Debussy
Ballade (Andantino con moto) - C. Debussy
Fantaisie For Piano And Orchestra: I. Andante - Allegro - C. Debussy
Fantaisie For Piano And Orchestra: II. Lento e molto espressivo- - C. Debussy
Fantaisie For Piano And Orchestra: III. Allegro molto - C. Debussy

Amazon.com essential recording

These classic performances belong in the collection of anyone who cares about Debussy's piano music. Walter Gieseking's career was a troubled one--his pandering to the Nazi party cast a shadow over his last years, but the greatest irony of all was that this German nationalist turned out to be the greatest exponent of French music of his era. His Debussy playing marries an effortlessly subtle control of the keyboard to a real sense of fantasy. The music truly shimmers in his hands, and despite the limited range of the mono recording, the ear quickly adjusts. This is, in short, one of those classic recordings that critics and music lovers have enjoyed for nearly 50 years. So should you. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Murky.......2007-04-01

I have to agree with the reviewers complaining about the sound quality on these CD's. I first discovered Debussy's piano music through these recordings when I was left my grandfather's record collection and I was obsessed. I bought this hoping to get back that vinyl magic but this is a murky compressed sounding thing, with none of the charm it should have. Boo.

Debussy and Gieseking.......2007-01-10

Historical 1950s recordings that demonstrate Gieseking's well attested shades of piano sound that are unique and outstanding.

EMI IS ATROCIOUS!!!!!!!!!.......2006-10-28

I despise EMI and for good reasons.
They have terrible recorded sound... from what I heard, i thought gieseking performed these pieces during the 1940s. I have remastered recordings from the 1920s and 30s that sound better than this!! But then again, EMI was never known for providing top-notch sonics.
Sheesh few years ago i purchased pablo casals on emi and it was simply horrible. i had to go get the one on testament (which is, by the way, superior to the Naxos remastering - believe it or not!).
I can't believe that much of gieseking's sound is lost and there's not much we can do about it!!!! emi will burn in hell... lol.

Hello Sky, Hello Trees.......2006-04-04

While there are those individuals, less sophisticated than my wonderful self, who are wont to dismiss Debussy as music only for those whose horticural inclinations run contrary to the course of gravity, I would have to venture that they don't know a good thing when they see one, and that to shun a composer merely because his fan base is given to lifting shirts would be nothing short of childish. After all, Debussy is really rather good, brilliant in fact, and if the good people at EMI should happen to let his liner notes be written by an inveterate pillow-biter, that does nothing to detract from his merits. "Bravo Debussy!" I say, and as I knock back another pastis enquire nonchalantly, "Anyone for tennis?"

sound quality of recording very average.......2005-11-12

I have to say I was disappointed with this CD. You cannot fault the artist, but the fact that it was recorded in the 1950s is very obvious by the very average sound quality of the recording, this is especialy noticable when the artist plays louder sections in the pieces.

Debussy & Ravel: Piano Works - Samson Francois (6 CD's)

Average customer rating:

great pianist!!!!
Yesterday Francois would be celebrating his eighty-two anniversary

Debussy & Ravel: Piano Works - Samson Francois (6 CD's)
Samson Francois , Claude Debussy , and Maurice Ravel
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Minuets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Lullabies & Berceuse | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B0002RUAEM
Release Date: 2004-11-02

Tracks:

1. Danseuses De Delphes
2. Voiles
3. Le Vent Dans La Plaine
4. Les Sons Et Les Parfums Tournent Dans L'Air Du Soir
5. Les Collines D'Anacapri
6. Des Pas Sur La Neige
7. Ce Qu'a Vu Le Vent D'Ouest
8. La Fille Aux Cheveux De Lin
9. La Serenade Interrompue
10. La Cathedrale Engloutie
11. Danse De Puck
12. Minstrels
1. Brouillards
2. Feuilles Mortes
3. La Puerta Del Vino
4. Les Fees Sont D'Exquises Danseuses
5. Bruyeres
6. General Lavine (Eccentric)
7. La Terrasse Des Audiences Au Clair De Lune
8. Ondine
9. Hommage A S. Pickwick Esq. P.P.M.P.C.
10. Canope
12. Feux D'Artifice

Tracks:

1. Reflets Dans L'eau
2. Hommage A Rameau
3. Mouvement
1. Cloches A Travers Les Feuilles
2. Et La Lune Descend Sur Le Temple Qui Fut
3. Poissons D'or
Reverie
1. Andantino
2. Allegretto Scherzando
La Plus Que Lente, Valse
1. Pour Les Degres Chromatiques
2. Pour Les Agrements
4. Pour Les Sonorites Opposees
5. Pour Les Arpeges Composes
6. Pour Les Accords
Masques
L'Isle Joyeuse
Berceuse Heroique

Tracks:

1. Doctor Gradus Ad Parnassum
2. Jimbo's Lullaby
3. Serenade For The Doll
4. The Snow Is Dancing
5. The Little Shepherd
6. Golliwogg's Cake-Walk
1. Pagodes
2. La Soiree Dans Grenade
3. Jardins Sous La Pluie
1. Prelude
2. Menuet
3. Clair De Lune
4. Passepied
1. Prelude
2. Sarabande
3. Toccata

Tracks:

1. Allegramente
2. Adagio Assai
3. Presto
Lento/Allegro
1. Pavane De La Belle Au Bois Dormant - Pierre Barbizet
2. Petit Poucet - Pierre Barbizet
3. Laideronnette, Imperatrice Des Pagodes - Pierre Barbizet
4. Les Entretiens De La Belle Et De La Bete - Pierre Barbizet
5. Le Jardin Feerique - Pierre Barbizet

Tracks:

Pavane Pour Une Infante Defunte
1. Modere, Tres Franc
2. Assez Lent
3. Modere
4. Assez Anime
5. Presque Lent
6. Vif
7. Moins Vif
8. Epilogue: Lent
Prelude
Jeux D'Eau
Menuet Sur Le Nom D'Haydn
1. Noctuelles
2. Oiseaux Tristes
3. Une barque Sur L'Ocean
4. Alborada Del Gracioso
5. La Vallee Des Cloches
Emmanuel Chabrier (Paraphrase Sur Un Air De Gounod)
Borodine

Tracks:

1. Ondine
2. Le Gibet
3. Scarbo
1. Modere
2. Mouvement De Menuet
3. Anime
1. Prelude
2. Fugue
3. Forlane
4. Riguadon
5. Menuet
6. Toccata
Menuet Antique

Customer Reviews:

great pianist!!!!.......2007-02-16

samson was one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century his debussy was sublime and his color palete to impresionism is unsurpassed. could someone tell me if these recordings of his debussy are the stereo ones

Yesterday Francois would be celebrating his eighty-two anniversary .......2006-05-19

Samson Francois figure has evidenced slow but increasing enhancement through the years. His notable pianism, aristocratic approach and refined phrasing are some of his virtues.

If you still do not know about this legendary artist, no itý s the time for you to convince by yourself about the supreme level occupied by him.

When he left us in 1970 at his 46, he had so much to give. The musical world remained legitimately orphan and much more vile since his premature death.

But, fortunately his legacy will live among us, every time you listen any record you acquire of this peerless musician.

His Ravel is loaded not only of notable, sensual and asserive expressiveness. If you know about some other performance able to equal his Gaspard de la nuit, please, be my guest.

His Debussy is sober, eloquent with Impresionist flair and sublime musicality.

A true artistic and a fundamental treasure in your collection.

Average customer rating:

The only set you need
Outstanding performances at any price
More Evocative than some of Mahler's Symphonies
One stop shopping! Unparalleled Debussy, and excellent Ravel
In Debussy Martinon is unbeatble!

Debussy, Ravel: Orchestral Works
Claude Debussy , Jean Martinon , and Orchestre de Paris
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Strauss: Orchestral Works
Liszt: Works for Piano and Orchestra
Sibelius: The Complete Symphonies & Tone Poems
Bruckner: The Complete Symphonies
Stravinsky: Ballets; Stage Works; Orchestral Works

ASIN: B00006HM8X
Release Date: 2002-11-05

Tracks:

I: De L'aube A Midi Sur La Mer - Jean Martinon
II: Jeux De Vagues - Jean Martinon
III: Dialogue Du Vent Et De La Mer - Jean Martinon
I: Nuages - Jean Martinon
II: Fetes - Jean Martinon
III: Sirenes - Choeurs De L'Ortf
Prelude A L'apres-midi D'un Faune - Alain Marion
Marche Ecossaise - Jean Martinon
Berceuse Heroique - Jean Martinon
I: Fanfare - Jean Martinon
II: Le Sommeil De Lear - Jean Martinon

Tracks:

Jeux (Poeme Danse) - Jean Martinon
1. Gigues/2. Iberia - Jean Martinon
I: Par Les Rues Et Par Les Chemins - Jean Martinon
II: Les Parfums De La Nuit - Jean Martinon
III: Le Matin D'un Jour De Fete - Jean Martinon
3. Rondes De Printemps - Jean Martinon
Premiere Partie - Jean Martinon
Deuxieme Partie - Fabienne Boury

Tracks:

1. Doctor Gradus Ad Parnassum - Jules Goetgheluck
2. Jimbo's Lullaby - Jules Goetgheluck
3. Serenade For The Doll - Jules Goetgheluck
4. The Snow Is Dancing - Jules Goetgheluck
5. The Little Shepherd - Jules Goetgheluck
6. Golliwoggs Cakewalk - Jules Goetgheluck
I: En Bateau - Jean Martinon
II: Cortege - Jean Martinon
III: Menuet - Jean Martinon
IV: Ballet - Jean Martinon
I: Danse Sacree - Marie-Claire Jamet
II: Danse Profane - Marie-Claire Jamet
I: Le Magasin De Jouets - Jean Martinon
II: Le Champ De Bataille - Jean Martinon
III: La Bergerie A Vendre - Jean Martinon
IV: Apres Fortune Faite - Jean Martinon

Tracks:

I: Andante - Allegro - Aldo Ciccolini
II: Lento E Molto Espressivo - Aldo Ciccolini
III: Allegro Molto - Aldo Ciccolini
La Plus Que Lente - John Leach
Premiere Rapsodie Pour Orchestre Avec Clarinette Principale - Guy Dangain
Rapsodie Pour Orchestre Et Saxophone Solo - Jean-Marie Loneix
Khamma - Fabienne Boury
Danse: Tarantelle Styrienne - Jean Martinon

Tracks:

Bolero - Marcel Galiegue
Une Barque Sur L'Ocean (Miroirs: No.3) - Orchestre De Paris
Prelude - Orchestre De Paris
Premier Tableau: Danse Du Rouet Et Scene - Orchestre De Paris
Deuxieme Tableau: Pavane De La Belle Au Bois Dormant - Orchestre De Paris
Interlude - Orchestre De Paris
Troisieme Tableau: Les Entretiens De La Belle Et De La Bete - Orchestre De Paris
Interlude - Orchestre De Paris
Quatrieme Tableau: Petit Poucet - Orchestre De Paris
Interlude - Orchestre De Paris
Cinquieme Tableau: Laideronnette, Imperatrice Des Pagodes - Orchestre De Paris
Interlude - Orchestre De Paris
Sixieme Tableau: Le Jardin Feerique - Orchestre De Paris
Alborada Del Gracioso (Miroirs: No.4) - Andre Sennedat
I: Prelude A La Nuit - Orchestre De Paris
II: Malaguena - Orchestre De Paris
III: Habanera - Orchestre De Paris
IV: Feria - Orchestre De Paris

Tracks:

Sheherazade: Ouverture De Feerie - Orchestre De Paris
La Valse (Poeme Choregraphique) - Orchestre De Paris
I: Prelude - Orchestre De Paris
II: Forlane - Orchestre De Paris
III: Menuet - Orchestre De Paris
IV: Rigaudon - Orchestre De Paris
Menuet Antique - Orchestre De Paris
Pavane Pour Une Infante Defunte - Michel Garcin-Marrou
1. Modere - Orchestre De Paris
2. Assez Lent - Orchestre De Paris
3. Modere - Orchestre De Paris
4. Assez Anime - Orchestre De Paris
5. Presque Lent - Orchestre De Paris
6. Assez Vif - Orchestre De Paris
7. Moins Vif - Orchestre De Paris
8. Epilogue: Lent - Orchestre De Paris

Tracks:

Introduction - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
Danse Religieuse - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
Scene - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
Danse Generale - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
Scene - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
Danse Grotesque De Dorcon - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
Danse Legere Et Gracieuse De Daphnis - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
Scene - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
Nocturne - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
Danse Lente Et Mysterieuse Des Nymphes - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
Interlude - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
Introduction - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
Danses Guerrieres Et Diverses - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
Danse Suppliante De Chloe - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
Introduction - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
Lever Du Jour - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
Pantomime - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
Danse Generale - Bacchanale - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera

Tracks:

Lento - Aldo Ciccolini
Piu Lento - Aldo Ciccolini
Allegro - Aldo Ciccolini
I: Allegramente - Jean-Claude Malgoire
II: Adagio Assai - Jean-Claude Malgoire
III: Presto - Jean-Claude Malgoire
Lento, Quasi Cadenza - Moderato - Itzhak Perlman

Amazon.com

At long last, Jean Martinon's classic EMI Debussy and Ravel cycles from the 1970s have been gathered in a space-saving, budget-priced box set. If you love this repertoire, you'll gasp with joy at the conductor's crystal-clear orchestral balances, which truly reproduce what you see in the printed music. If you respond to a lean, sinewy approach to this repertoire in the manner of Toscanini and Boulez, but pine for the timbral characteristics that used to distinguish French orchestras (silver-coated strings, tart woodwinds, and slightly watery brass) in gorgeous, vibrant sonics, Martinon's your man. Aldo Ciccolini's crisp, diamond-edged finger work stands out in Ravel's two piano concertos and in Debussy's rarely heard Fantasie. The young Itzhak Perlman's dazzling, effortless traversal of Ravel's Tzigane will humble many an aspiring fiddler. And you won't find a more sparkling, translucent Ravel Mother Goose Suite on record. Martinon was a marvel, and a sadly underrated podium giant. Grab this set while you can. --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews:

The only set you need.......2006-01-13

After owning dozens of Debussy, Ravel recordings, all I can say is ,
if you have this set, no need to look further.
My Ingelbrecht sets are good, but Martinon is better.
Forget the Munch and Monteaux, Bernsteins, Levine, Karajan (UUCCKKKK) etc etc.

Outstanding performances at any price.......2005-04-28

This boxed set provides a comprehensive collection of the orchestral works of both Debussy and Ravel. Jean Martinon conducts the Orchestre National de l'ORTF in the Debussy and the Orchestre de Paris in the Ravel pieces. The sound is stunning, and the performances are extraordinarily engaging. I have other sets of music by these composers (Simon and the Philharmonia Orchestra for the Debussy) Michal Tilson Thomas and the LSO as well as Boulez and the Berlin Philharmonic for some of the Ravel pieces (Boulez and the NY Phil for Daphnis and Chloe) but these other sets do not contain all the music in the 8 CDs by Martinon and his orchestras. I agree with the other reviewers who find the Debussy especially compelling. I am listening to La Mer now, and the recording captures the performance perfectly, clearly separating the horns, strings and woodwinds and providing a great balance. This is a very dramatic reading of La Mer! However, I find the Ravel performances equally inspired. The Daphnis and Chloe performance is tremendously exciting, and the ballet Ma Mere l'Oye is exquisite. When I decided to buy this set, I was looking for performances that would give me new insight into familiar works and also introduce me to some musical treats like Debussy's La Boite a Joujoux. I was not disappointed. This set is not just a bargain, it's a real treasure!

More Evocative than some of Mahler's Symphonies.......2005-01-25

I can't exactly visualise the oils of the French impressionists when hearing these pieces. But I do know what the other reviewer is talking about and the point is well made. They are so inspiring and evocative that they touch your heart strings perhaps deeper than most of Mahler's symphonies despite Mahler's gigantic orchetrations! The recorded sound is excellent: and the conductor is obviously gifted and the orchestra is just beautiful despite the fact that I am no big fan of either Ciccolini or Perlman. Believe it or not, in Hong Kong HK Records and HMV are selling the boxset at about 60% of the listed price in US: a real bargain. Grap it while it is still available, particularly those who live in HK.

One stop shopping! Unparalleled Debussy, and excellent Ravel.......2004-11-21

I've treasured both of these cycles since the 1970s when both appeared in single LP installements, each one eagerly awaited with deserved anticipation. To get them both in outstanding remasterings in a bargain priced box set is almost unthinkable. I'd pay twice the price, even more, if I had to for these recordings.

Other recordings of individual works may excel these, like Karajan's La Mer, or Monteux's Daphnis, Haitink's Nocturnes, and so on. But when listened to in such consistent interpretations as these from Jean Martinon, the works as a whole take on a different dimension. Each work is like a chapter in a novel, and they all weave together to make a very satisfying experience that is quite different than one gets with just the individual compositions.

That is especially true of the Debussy.

Two different Orchestras are represented. The Debussy are performed by the French National Orchestra, the Ravel by the more well known Orchestre De Paris, an orchestra that made recordings in those days with such notables as Kerbert von Karajan and Seiji Ozawa. The Debussy, though is actually better executed. The ensemble is tighter, the string tone more sumptuous.

The Debussy has no competition for completeness. No other conductor has traversed the entire orchestral output with the thoroughness that Martinon has. Boulez is probably the closest available. I think very highly of the Boulez recordings, especially the newer ones for DG. But the interpretations lack the unity and consistency that Martinon maintains throughout the cycle.

There is more competition with the Ravel, though. When issued, the cycle was met equally by an excellent set from the Minnesota Orchestra under Stanislaw Skrowaczewski, which came in a box at a lower price. Again, Martinon won my heart for his consistency. The Skrowaczewski was better executed by the Minnesota Orchestra than Martinon's Orchetre De Paris. The EMI sound was better, but back then the quality of the Angel LPs was terrible, so the Skrowaczewski go tthe nod for technical superiority unless you were fortunate enough to get your hands on more expensive import copies of the Martinon. There was a cycle from Ozawa on DG also, but artistically it could not match up with the other two. When CDs were introduced, along came Charles Dutoit and the Montreal SO on London/Decca. And they came with a huge splash and acclaim. I puked! and I have always puked when I hear Dutoit conduct anything, with maybe one or two exceptions. Dutoit makes Ravel sound too smooth and glossy. I do give the Decca engineers great credit for the sound (though the Daphnis gets my vote as the worst CD ever produced, being that it was 55 minutes long with no tracks or indexes!).

Now that EMI have so excellently remastered the Martinon recordings though,the choice for a complete set of the orchestral works is very clear. The experience of Martinon's unified consistent interpretations is not quite the same with Ravel as it is with Debussy, partly owing to a less well formed vision from that composer than Debussy. Debussy was more rigid in his world view and musical thought throughout his life, whereas Ravel wavered in many different directions.

When you consider the price, there no reason to think twice about this set. The accompanying booklet is not extremely comprehensive, but adequate enough.

In Debussy Martinon is unbeatble!.......2004-07-31

Jean Martinon is the last director really inmersed in the impresionist mood . His performances are deeply inspired and above all idiomatic . Marie Claire Jamet in the Sacred Dances is absolutely comitted with the elusive forms and pagan enchantment.
Martinon belonged to that hard to find status conductor who really know to engage with the composer mood . So when he played his music the results were overwhelming . He had a enormous gift to suggest . I still remind The Prokoviev seventh symphony with the Chicago Symphony and I can not get another first movement so well performed , for instance .
Back to Debussy he combines the charm and nuance with that incorporean and elusive approach that Debussy and Ravel demands . I state a parallel (if I may) between Martinon - Debussy and Beecham - Delius in what idiomatism concerns .
When Martinon performs Debussy the paintings of Matisse , Monet and Manet seem to awake and come to our mind .
The prientemps and the children 's corner are absolutely of first rate . The clarinet rhapsody is the best in the market .
In the images I prefer the Ansermet version , but the whole set is fundamental if you enjoy the orchestral music of Debussy.
Notice I have not mentioned Ravel works . I have another name in Ravel : Andre Cluytens . But this is out of context.

Debussy: Clair de lune & Other Piano Favourites

Average customer rating:

The perfect rain music, but I wish for more
Debussy Favorites in OK Performances, Variable Sound

Debussy: Clair de lune & Other Piano Favourites

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Clair de lune
Debussy: Piano Works
Call Me Irresponsible

ASIN: B0001N9ZCA
Release Date: 2004-05-18

Tracks:

Clair De Lune
La Plus Que Lente
Arabesque No.1
Le Petit Negre
The Snow Is Dancing
The Little Shepherd
Golliwog's Cakewalk
La Soiree Dans Grenade
Jardins Sous La Pluie
Arabesque No.2
Valse Romantique
Danse (Tarantelle Styrienne)
Toccata
Reflets Dans L'eau
Poissons D'or
Mazurka
Reverie
La Fille Aux Cheveux De Lin
Minstrels
La Cathedrale Engloutie

Customer Reviews:

The perfect rain music, but I wish for more.......2007-04-26

Collections are tricky. Either they fulfill your needs perfectly, leading to you wanting more, or they don't fulfill enough, leading to you wanting more. Either way, you're left with the uncomfortable feeling that "something"'s missing. Is that the case with this "favorites" CD? Yes.

Oh, this is a nice enough collection to get you into a Debussy mood, but after listening to it, I felt frustrated. Why, I thought, did I buy a collection? Now I would have to find MORE. Yes, I got the generic favorites. I now have "Clair de lune" and "Reverie" (my reasons for purchasing the CD), but the musical beauty made me want more and more, to the point where I got very frustrated. After all, collections only give you a taste. Now I need to find... MORE.

The rain quality can be either a plus or a minus. By "rain quality" I'm referring to a slightly fuzzy sound. Not the best quality, that is. It sounds like the radio on a rainy day, so while getting you in the mood perfectly, it's a bit... well. It's of lower quality, though it does enhance the mood. I personally like it, but facts are facts.

While I listen to this CD often, I think that it's probably better just to jump straight to full CDs. No snippets. While enjoyable, it's not amazing and it leaves you with the slight sense of, "...well?". So... well?

Debussy Favorites in OK Performances, Variable Sound.......2004-05-24

Francois-Joël Thiollier has recorded much of Debussy's piano music for Naxos. This CD appears to be a 'favorites' album drawn from several previous issues. The most familiar and probably the best-loved Debussy pieces are here, beginning with a dreamy (but somewhat soupily-recorded) 'Clair de lune' ('Moonlight'). [The cover illustration is a nice reproduction of Eugène Boudin's gorgeous 'The Effect of the Moon.'] As of yet Amazon has not listed the contents, so I shall do so: Clair de lune, La plus que lente, Arabesque Nos. 1 & 2, Le petit nègre, excerpts from The Children's Corner (The snow is dancing, The little shepherd, Golliwog's cakewalk), La soirée dans Grénade, Jardin sous la pluie, Valse romantique, Tarantelle styrienne, Toccata, Reflets dans l'eau, Poissons d'or, Mazurka, Révérie, The Girl with the Golden Hair, and The Engulfed Cathedral.

Thiollier often takes slower than usual tempi, and he often sounds rather deliberate or even stodgy as a result. This is not to say there aren't some quicker tempi taken: 'Le petit nègre' starts off with a real Gottschalkian verve, but when he comes to the second theme he backs off. 'Poissons d'or' ('Goldfish') swim excitedly (and beautifully). 'The snow is dancing' all right, but it seems to be doing a sarabande. These are pretty straight interpretations; one misses the drama or sadness in, say, Golliwog's Cakewalk. I think one problem in all these performances is a lack of crisp articulation. Debussy's soft-edged harmonies can lead a pianist to play in a flaccid, dreamy fashion and that works for some of the pieces, but on the whole Debussy requires more rhythmic spine, and that is often lacking here.

The primary thing going for this compilation is the price. But I couldn't recommend it to anyone other than someone on a sharply restricted budget and who wants these particular pieces. For somewhat more outlay, one could have performances by say, the fabled Michelangeli or the spectacular Kocsis or the legendary Gieseking.

TT=78:10

Tracks:

Images - Serie I
Images - Serie I
Images - Serie I
Images - Serie II
Images - Serie II
Images - Serie II
Le Petit Negre
Children's Corner
Children's Corner
Children's Corner
Children's Corner
Children's Corner
Children's Corner
La plus que lente
Valse romantique
Ballade
Danse (Tarantelle styrienne)
Mazurka

Tracks:

Suite bergamesque
Suite bergamesque
Suite bergamesque
Suite bergamesque
Hommage a Haydn
Elegie
Berceuse heroique
page d'album
Etudes - Livre I
Etudes - LIvre II
Etudes - LIvre II
Etudes - LIvre II
Etudes - LIvre II
Etudes - LIvre II
Etudes - Livre II
Etudes - Livre II
Etudes - Livre II
Etudes - Livre II
Etudes - Livre II
Etudes - Livre II
Etude retrouvee

Amazon.com

Jean-Yves Thibaudet is not a pianist to be pigeonholed. Alongside the recordings of his fellow countrymen Debussy and Ravel, he has recorded a tribute to a jazz giant, Conversations with Bill Evans, and he plays on the soundtrack of the film Portrait of a Lady. Perhaps this catholic approach accounts for the freshness of his Debussy playing. Not for him the "stick the pedal down and make an impressionistic wash of sound" approach. His playing is clean and refreshing without losing any of the voluptuous sensuality of Debussy at his most beguiling. There are lollipops to be found among the extensive repertory on these two discs, including the celebrated "Clair de Lune" from the Suite Bergamasque and the "Golliwogg's Cake-Walk" from Children's Corner. The mainstay of the release is the two sets of Images and the two books of Études, 12 studies whose demands are not for the faint of heart. Luckily for us, Thibaudet's heart is strong. He offers virtuosic, thoughtful performances of pieces that, while written to help develop pianists' technique, stand up magnificently as music to be listened to. --Keith Clarke

Customer Reviews:

Superior recordings and performances.......2005-09-18

The Penguin Guide to CDs and DVDs has Thibaudet's sets of the complete Debussy solo piano music at the top of the digital recordings, and this is certainly high quality.

We have several recordings of the Preludes and some other works, but there is nothing to come close to Thibaudet for great performances and superior recording quality.

The liner notes are very helpful, and in the first set you get different articles in English, French, German and Italian. Great if you are multilingual, but only of marginal interest to me. The second set has one article and translations, not separate articles.

Well worth purchasing.

BEAUTIFUL.......2002-11-17

AAAAAH Beautiful This guy is awesome. He is the first piano player with whom I experienced Debussy's work.I am happy with this cd.

Evocative and mesmerizing if a little distorted in places.......2001-04-21

I shall try to be as brief as possible. My standards in Debussy are Alfred Cortot and Walter Gieseking, but unfortunately they didn't record everything and the sound of their recordings is getting a little dated. I own Cortot's recordings of Debussy songs with Maggie Teyte and Gieseking's recordings of the Preludes, but was looking for good modern recordings of "La plus que lente," "Suite Bergamesque," "Images" and the "Children's Corner Suite." After listening to excerpts on the Amazon site, I bought this recording.

Thibaudet has a gorgeous tone and touch. His musical styling, however, is sometimes accurate, sometimes phlegmatic. He plays the Song of the Doll in "Children's Corner" a little too fast, and in both "Golliwog's Cakewalk" and "Clair de lune" he employs an odd sort of rubato that seems to add a half-beat to certain measures. (In these pieces I know because I used to play them). Despite these quirks, however, his playing has charm, color and a dashing technique reminiscent of Gieseking. The reason I only gave this set 4 stars instead of 5 is because the Etudes are trashy music, mere technical exercises without any redeeming (to me) musical value. If you feel differently, however, I suppose you will rate this as a 5-star album, but to me it was a half-hour of listening time totally wasted. Otherwise, a beautiful album that you will listen to again and again.

Mesmerising and musically imaginative performances.......2000-06-30

Jean-Yves Thibaudet may not be the ideal pianist for every kind of music that he plays. His Rachmaninoff is disappointingly tepid and his Chopin uninteresting. His Liszt recordings, while being technically assured, often lacks a sense of abandon and frisson (or should I say "showmanship") which, in my view, is an indispensable element in that kind of music, and his Schubert (as heard in the soundtrack for ) sounds contrived and mannered.

However, he is definitely a force to be reckoned with in his native French repertoire, as shown by his marvellous traversal of Ravel's piano pieces in 1992, a set which has won lots of accolades and unanimous praise from critics. He then embarked on a project to record all the solo piano works of Debussy and, in 1996, released the first instalment thereof, a 2-CD set which includes the Preludes, Estampes and Pour le piano. While these recordings aren't able to efface one's memory of the legendary recordings of Walter Gieseking, they're convincing interpretations which further confirm Thibaudet's stature in this repertoire.

Decca has now released the 2nd (and concluding) volume of Debussy's solo piano pieces with Thibaudet, and the results are, if anything, even better. As Thibaudet employs the pedal comparatively sparingly, he doesn't perhaps command the magically luminous and shimmering tone which is the hallmark of Gieseking's Debussy recordings (as can be heard in a 4-CD set released by EMI). Nevertheless, Thibaudet offers here an extraordinary wide range of tonal colours (mostly achieved by the pianist's fingers alone, and is therefore no less impressive from a technical perspective), as well as great sensitivity in phrasing and tempo adjustments that always sound natural and even enchanting while at the same time bringing out the music's many possibilities. Besides, in certain instances (for example in some of the pieces in Children's Corner and the Valse romantique), there exist a degree of charm, wit and sarcastic humour which are mostly absent in Gieseking's recordings of the same pieces.

Thibaudet's performance of the Images is mesmerising. His reading is wonderfully evocative and deeply atmospheric and his tonal gradations and sense of control are both cause for marvel. Under Thibaudet's crisp fingers and sensitive hands, the Etudes are not merely virtuosic pieces composed in an innovative idiom, but are also subtly expressive and musically imaginative vignettes, making one wonder why these gems of the keyboard aren't being performed (and recorded) more often. Indeed, such is the standard of the performances here that, besides some faster than average tempo choices for a few of the pieces (which, however, still sound convincing even if they may not actually be sanctioned by Debussy's markings in the relevant scores), this reviewer has hardly any reservation throughout the 151 minutes of music on offer in this 2-CD set. In fact, the recordings, which are well supported by the Decca engineers, are so musically fascinating and tonally alluring that this reviewer was immediately transported to a trance like state when listening to them for the very first time! This, surely, is one of the most enjoyable new piano releases that have come out in the past few years.

Tracks:

Claire De Lune
No 1: Andantino Con Moto
No 2: Allegretto Scherzando
Feux D'artifice
I. Prelude
II. Sarabande
III. Toccata
I. Reflets Dans L'eau
II. Hommage A Rameau
III. Mouvement
I. Cloches A Travers Les Feuilles
II. Et La Lune Descend Sur Le Temple Qui Fut
III. Poissons D'or
I. Doctor Gradus Ad Parnassum
II. Jimbo's Lullaby
III. Serenade For The Doll
IV. The Snow Is Dancing
V. The Little Shepherd
VI. Golliwog's Cake-Walk

Amazon.com essential recording

Philippe Entremont was really taken for granted as a pianist, both in the U.S. and in his native France. A favorite with Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra, and a staple pianist of the 1960s Columbia catalogue, Entremont displayed many of the finer points of the French school: precision, proportion, tight rhythm, and a colorful touch. This Debussy collection, a real bargain at budget price, features all of his strengths, in music which belongs in every piano-music collection. His rendering of the Images is particularly delicate and atmospheric. Great music, and a good buy. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Sensitive, Precise, and Moving Music From an Excellent Pianist........2005-12-19

Phillipe Entremont is an excellent pianist and this CD is a perfect example of his talent. He performs these selections of Debussy with flawless precision, great sensitivity, grace, and emotional depth.

The performance of the Toccata is dazzling and the performances of Clair de Lune, Reflets dans L'eau, and Hommage a Rameau are among the best I have heard. There are selections on this CD where you can close your eyes and practically feel yourself floating to the stars as you listen to Entremont's moving interpretations of these compositions. The selections on this compilation are very well-chosen and entirely suitable for those seeking an introduction to Debussy's compositions for solo piano, containing a number of his most well-known works, or for those who have several other recordings of Debussy, but would like to have a well-chosen anthology of some of his solo piano compositions on one CD, as interpreted by a very fine pianist with his own distinguished style.

The clarity and dynamic range of these selections is excellent, especially considering that they were recorded in the early 1960's. In addition, the CD booklet has intelligent, well-written, and informative notes. This CD is a great bargain that is easily worth twice its price.

Debussy says.......2002-11-02

"It is my love for music that drives me to liberate it from certain sterile and restrictive traditions.It is a free, open-air art, a bubblingg spring, elemental like the wind, the sky or the sea.It must not become closed and academic" One of the things I miss most about music today is a primal element, a visceral approach. You can fell it in this excellent record.

Best buy for beginners...and everyone else!.......2001-05-13

Entremont is one of those artists whose popularity came more as a curse than a blessing. Considered by some piano music lovers the Richard Clayderman of classical music, Entremont has been unjustly -- and stupidly -- relegated to the dull realm of piano music anthologies and theme albums. I admit that his playing is sometimes a little theatrical -- after all, Entremont is a virtuoso! You'll be tempted to look at the score. Do it: You'll be surprised at how thoroughly respectful he is of the original music. Don't let his originality deceive you: this man is not Liberace. An absolute highlight of this album is Entremont's interpretation of the Clair de Lune from the Suite Bergamasque. Entremont's technical perfection and intelligence turns this piece into a symphonic poem. You may have heard the Clair de Lune many times; you never heard it this way, though.

Excellent interpretation but dull program.......2001-04-13

For one who wants to discover Debussy's piano music, this is an excellent buy. However, Entremont's program is one of regularly played pieces: the images, suite bergamasque, etc. I was hoping to find some of the more obscure pieces as I am used from such a good performer as Entremont. All in all a very good buy.

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