Debussy Piano - which recording is recommended

Posted by: Bert Schurink on 19 September 2013

I am intrigued by the piano music of Debussy - I have already the CD from Angela Hewitt and now look to something more complete. It looks like three choices emerge and I would like to hear from you what you would recommend, or perhaps you have even other recommendations. So options I see:

 

Walter Gieseking:

 

 

Jean Eflam Bavouzet:

 

Alain Planes:

Posted on: 19 September 2013 by YanC

Paul Jacobs - Preludes I & II on Nonesuch (1970)

A remerkable reconding by a remarkable pianist.

More on the Nonesuch site, here...

 

Posted on: 19 September 2013 by Aleg

Jean Efflem Bavouzet is the one to go for.

 

cheers

 

aleg

Posted on: 19 September 2013 by Frenchnaim

Jean-Efflam Bavouzet's recording is superb.

 

Posted on: 19 September 2013 by m0omo0

And, just in case it matters, Bavouzet can be found in 24/96 at Qobuz (although for a price far superior to what you can find the 5 CDs box for, I'm afraid, as it's €14.99 apiece).

 

HTH

Maurice

Posted on: 19 September 2013 by CFMF

Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, while not anywhere close to complete, is something that every Debussy enthusiast definitely needs.

 

Cheers

Posted on: 19 September 2013 by Aleg
Originally Posted by m0omo0:

And, just in case it matters, Bavouzet can be found in 24/96 at Qobuz (although for a price far superior to what you can find the 5 CDs box for, I'm afraid, as it's €14.99 apiece).

 

HTH

Maurice

£24 all 5 CD's in 96/24 at the www.classicalshop.net

 

cheers

 

aleg

Posted on: 19 September 2013 by m0omo0
Originally Posted by Aleg:

£24 all 5 CD's in 96/24 at the www.classicalshop.net

 

cheers

 

aleg

Not quite, if I'm understanding their site correctly, as the complete box seems to be divided into 2 "compact discs" (scroll down and you'll find a second "compact disc" separately priced). So £48, but it's still cheaper than Qobuz.

 

Thanks for the tip Aleg.

Posted on: 20 September 2013 by Aleg
Originally Posted by m0omo0:
Originally Posted by Aleg:

£24 all 5 CD's in 96/24 at the www.theclassicalshop.net

 

cheers

 

aleg

Not quite, if I'm understanding their site correctly, as the complete box seems to be divided into 2 "compact discs" (scroll down and you'll find a second "compact disc" separately priced). So £48, but it's still cheaper than Qobuz.

 

Thanks for the tip Aleg.

Maurice

 

You are right, after 63 tracks of 'CD 1' there starts a 'CD 2' of 41 tracks which also costs another £24.

 

Sneaky way to display/hide the price of the complete set.

 

Sorry for the confusion.

 

Cheers

 

Aleg

Posted on: 20 September 2013 by Ebor

My vote goes for Jean-Yves Thibaudet: complete piano works on 4 CDs for under £30. Recording is nicely transparent and his interpretations are excellent - nothing too histrionic and with great sensitivity. Only drawback is that his picture on the front cover of vol 1 makes him look like a particularly camp interior designer:

 

Posted on: 20 September 2013 by Wugged Woy
Originally Posted by CFMF:

Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, while not anywhere close to complete, is something that every Debussy enthusiast definitely needs.

 

Cheers

CFMF is bang on. This is the correct recommendation. Trust WW  

For example ....


Product Details

 

Posted on: 20 September 2013 by EJS

All pianists worth their salt try the preludes at one time or another and there are so many recordings, it's hard to pick a favorite or favorites. However, I consider the etudes the yardstick of a good Debussy player. Uchida tried and failed, there's no getting through it. Thibaudet, on the other hand, makes them sound like prime Debussy. I like Planes as well, he uses a variety of pianos as befitting the pieces he plays. Haven't heard Bavouzet and judging from the opinions here, I really should give him a try.

 

And out of the left field, let me mention Maurizio Pollini's Book 1 of the Preludes. Fascinatingly played.

 

Cheers,

 

EJ

Posted on: 21 September 2013 by kuma



For me, the bench mark for Debussy is still Gieseking. He transprots me to that dreamy mysterious far away place.

He even makes the over played, over exposed Clair de Lune sounds fresh and interesting to listen to.

Posted on: 10 October 2013 by Bert Schurink

Thanks for all help I just bought: Jean Efflem Bavouzet

Posted on: 11 October 2013 by CFMF

You have made a wise choice.

 

BBM