Debussy: Préludes I - II
Posted by: Basil on 09 January 2007
Thoughts?
Posted on: 10 January 2007 by Oldnslow
Great, groundbreaking pieces. Michaelangeli in Bk.l is wonderful. Zimmerman very good too. I rarely hear a poor performance of the preludes
Posted on: 11 January 2007 by graham55
Basil, are you looking for suggested recordings?
If so, I'd be inclined to go for Michelangeli (two CDs on DG, with Children's Corner and both sets of Images as well) PLUS Gieseking's mono set on a single EMI GROC. Quite different styles of playing, but both are great representations of a lifetime's devotion to Debussy performance.
I'll leave others more learned than I am to comment on the music.
Graham
If so, I'd be inclined to go for Michelangeli (two CDs on DG, with Children's Corner and both sets of Images as well) PLUS Gieseking's mono set on a single EMI GROC. Quite different styles of playing, but both are great representations of a lifetime's devotion to Debussy performance.
I'll leave others more learned than I am to comment on the music.
Graham
Posted on: 12 January 2007 by Todd A
The Preludes are possibly (but by no means definitely) Debussy's crowning glory in his solo piano music. The individual works are at times breath-takingly unique and groundbreaking.
As to recordings, surely Gieseking and Michelangeli must be considered. I'm waiting for Gieseking's earlier 50s recording to be reissued since they are reputed to surpass his oft reissued mid-50s recording. And Michelangeli is at least as compelling live on Aura as he is studio bound on DG. Other superb takes include Daniel Ericourt's utterly Debussyian take and Michel Beroff's '90s recording on Denon, in superb sound. Richter ain't none too shabby neither.
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As to recordings, surely Gieseking and Michelangeli must be considered. I'm waiting for Gieseking's earlier 50s recording to be reissued since they are reputed to surpass his oft reissued mid-50s recording. And Michelangeli is at least as compelling live on Aura as he is studio bound on DG. Other superb takes include Daniel Ericourt's utterly Debussyian take and Michel Beroff's '90s recording on Denon, in superb sound. Richter ain't none too shabby neither.
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Posted on: 12 January 2007 by Oldnslow
Todd--I haven't ben able to source any Aura recordings for quite some time-I think they must be out of business. I wanted to get Gulda's live recital (Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven) but never could find a source, new or used. Any suggestions?
Posted on: 13 January 2007 by Todd A
Berkshire Record Outlet gets a lot of Aura titles, but shipping outside the US can be a bit pricey. Stradivarius.it may have some, along with some other Italian retailers. I tend to buy Aura titles from Berkshire when they pop-up, so I'm not sure about regular sources.
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Posted on: 16 January 2007 by Basil
Thanks for the replies, I've had the 53 & 55 Gieseking set for a while now and the Michelangeli Book 1 finally turned up this morning (which is why I haven't replied until now).
Which do I prefer? Michelangeli by quite a margin, the Gieseking is just too aggressive for my liking.
Which do I prefer? Michelangeli by quite a margin, the Gieseking is just too aggressive for my liking.