Debussy's Preludes

[Daverz]

wow, Google groups rmcr is dead in a few days!

EDIT: Actually it seems that it's Google that is getting kicked off Usenet, not the other way 'round.

I checked in a few weeks ago, and it looked like a cesspool then (over Israel/Palestine, but it's always something...).  I posted a lot on r.m.c.r in the pre-GMG days.

r.m.c.r will still be available with a Usenet news reader, though.  Google Groups was just a free way to access it on the web without having to subscribe to a Usenet server.

[DavidW]

r.m.c.r will still be available with a Usenet news reader, though.  Google Groups was just a free way to access it on the web without having to subscribe to a Usenet server.

That is an age check if I've ever seen one!  No millenial or gen z would even know about subing to a usenet server.

[Mookalafalas]

Irina Mejoueva in live recital

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Listening to these recordings on YouTube lately.

[Mandryka]

Thanks a lot for the link. Richter and Ericourt look interesting. I like Paul Jacobs.

New discovery - Hisako Hiseki. Bad sound though.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Talking about Joyce Hatto, I just checked Tateno's Debussy. Nice playing, but the touch is a little hard (and monotonous) for my preference. Plus, I would like more rhythmic vigor and expression. Again, decent performance though.

[Mandryka]

Talking about Joyce Hatto, I just checked Tateno's Debussy. Nice playing, but the touch is a little hard (and monotonous) for my preference. Plus, I would like more rhythmic vigor and expression. Again, decent performance though.

I have a recording of him with Bk1 and 2 - I've never got into much, though as you say it seems decent enough.

[Mandryka]

Talking about Joyce Hatto, I just checked Tateno's Debussy. Nice playing, but the touch is a little hard (and monotonous) for my preference. Plus, I would like more rhythmic vigor and expression. Again, decent performance though.

Enjoying the book 2 this morning - you just have to go with the flow. It's the sense of a poised and thought through and well executed performance which I think I'm responding to. Tasteful and restrained. Glad to have it, even if it's taken me about 15 years to finally appreciate it. And in truth I don't know whether I'm just in a Debussy mood and happened to pick this one. I'm now enjoying the Hatto etudes (Margit Rahkonen.)

Has he lost his right hand? The English translation of the review of this recording suggests he has, but it's not clear!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Izumi-Tateno-Takashi-Yoshimatsu-Hybrid/dp/B000NA6OSO

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Enjoying the book 2 this morning - you just have to go with the flow. It's the sense of a poised and thought through and well executed performance which I think I'm responding to. Tasteful and restrained. Glad to have it, even if it's taken me about 15 years to finally appreciate it. And in truth I don't know whether I'm just in a Debussy mood and happened to pick this one. I'm now enjoying the Hatto etudes (Margit Rahkonen.)

Has he lost his right hand? The English translation of the review of this recording suggests he has, but it's not clear!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Izumi-Tateno-Takashi-Yoshimatsu-Hybrid/dp/B000NA6OSO

In 2002, Tateno became paralyzed on his right side body due to a cerebral hemorrhage. In 2004 he made a comeback as a "left-handed pianist". Crown empress of Japan is a fan of his music.  I will check the recording again and comment later.


https://www.nippon.com/ja/people/e00167/#:~:text=60%E5%B9%B4%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E8%8A%B8%E8%A1%93%E5%A4%A7%E5%AD%A6,%E6%94%AF%E6%8F%B4%E6%B4%BB%E5%8B%95%E3%81%AB%E3%82%82%E3%81%8B%E3%81%8B%E3%82%8F%E3%82%8B%E3%80%82

[Atriod]

After several plays with some gap inbetween them to make sure my initial impression was not rushed, Gianluca Cascioli's cycle of the Preludes have made my absolute favorites for this cycle (top notch in the rest of the works as well). They are interesting interpretations; he doesn't completely go down the school of Michelangeli route with an ethereal, dreamy aesthetic. It reminds me of the old style French pianists.

[Atriod]

Update after thinking about it and revisiting some I haven't heard in a while.

Favorites:
Michelangeli
Sasaki
Pollini Book II (it has been quite a while since I heard Book I); Book II is one of my favorite recordings from him)
Ericourt
Arrau
Cascioli
Beroff
Jacobs
Planes Harmonia Mundi (amazing sounding PI. For La cathedrale engloutie him and Cascioli sound the most like Stokowski's orchestral transcription)

Don't quite make my favorites but I enjoy them quite a bit: Zimerman, Kocsis, Gieseking 1930s.

Want to hear: Marc-Andre Hamelin, Nelson Freire, Claude Helffer. Need to refresh my memory on: Steven Osborne, Richter's various recordings.

Wish would record much more Debussy: Seong Jin Cho.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Favorites here:

Ivan Moravec
Krystian Zimerman

Ooh!  And @Atriod Thank you for reminding me about Gieseking's recordings!  Haven't listened to those in ages! 

PD

[Le Buisson Ardent]

Update after thinking about it and revisiting some I haven't heard in a while.

Favorites:
Michelangeli
Sasaki
Pollini Book II (it has been quite a while since I heard Book I); Book II is one of my favorite recordings from him)
Ericourt
Arrau
Cascioli
Beroff
Planes Harmonia Mundi (amazing sounding PI. For La cathedrale engloutie him and Cascioli sound the most like Stokowski's orchestral transcription)

Don't quite make my favorites but I enjoy them quite a bit: Zimerman, Kocsis, Gieseking 1930s.

Want to hear: Marc-Andre Hamelin, Nelson Freire, Claude Helffer. Need to refresh my memory on: Steven Osborne, Richter's various recordings.

Wish would record much more Debussy: Seong Jin Cho.

Whatever happened to Hiroko Sasaki? She did one excellent recording of the Préludes and that was it.

[Atriod]

Favorites here:

Ivan Moravec
Krystian Zimerman

Ooh!  And @Atriod Thank you for reminding me about Gieseking's recordings!  Haven't listened to those in ages! 

PD

I like Zimerman's crystalline interpretations, a unique take. Moravec would have likely made some part of my list if he recorded more of them. Same with Russell Sherman (Estampes and Book II Images among the best I heard).

And I forgot about Paul Jacobs, he has now been added to my list.

[ritter]

...
And I forgot about Paul Jacobs, he has now been added to my list.

My personal favourite is Paul Jacobs! 

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I like Zimerman's crystalline interpretations, a unique take. Moravec would have likely made some part of my list if he recorded more of them. Same with Russell Sherman (Estampes and Book II Images among the best I heard).

And I forgot about Paul Jacobs, he has now been added to my list.

My personal favourite is Paul Jacobs! 

I haven't heard of Paul Jacobs before now.  Is he a contemporary performer?

PD

[ritter]

I haven't heard of Paul Jacobs before now.  Is he a contemporary performer?

PD

Paul Jacobs died in 1983. Unfortunately, his recorded legacy is rather scant, concentrating on modern music, but he did record a good chunk of Debussy solo piano music for the Nonesuch label.

A great pianist!

[Jo498]

Jacob's Preludes, Estampes, Images were on cheapish Teldec/Ultima/Apex? CDs. Originally Nonesuch recordings from the late 1970s but the CDs were commonly available and should be easily findable used.
There's also the complete? Schönberg solo piano but I don't have that disc.

[Le Buisson Ardent]

I agree that Paul Jacobs was amazing in Debussy as @ritter points out. Of course, I wouldn't want to be without Kocsis, Ciccolini, Planès, Arrau or Bavouzet.

[San Antone]

I grew up on Walter Gieseking's Debussy Preludes, and still enjoy them very much.  However, I find myself listening to more recent recordings more often.  Zimerman, Benedetti, Rogé, Jumppanen, Piedmontesi, Freire, as well as some already listed here.