Debussy: Suite Bergamasque

Debussy - Complete Works for Solo Piano Volume 3

Jean-Efflam Bavouzet here offers the third volume in his series devoted to the complete works for piano by Debussy. The music now moves to a more playful strand in Debussy’s compositional career, with generally shorter pieces of the salon genre, including the two famous collections Children’s Corner and Suite bergamasque. In addition to these well-known works are several that are more rarely heard. Two such are La plus que lente, which seems to look ahead to the Études of 1915, and Élégie. Roger Nichols describes the former as ‘one of his most delightful pieces… the harmonic turns are particularly sophisticated and enchanting’. The Élégie was written in 1915 following the composer’s move to the coast. The outbreak of the First World War had initially depressed Debussy into a state of creative sterility but the move was to prove most productive. The Élégie was written for a charity and, dedicated to Queen Alexandra, honours the role of women in wartime. It is now rarely performed but Roger Nichols writes, ‘it is one of the composer’s most extraordinary works… and we are left wondering what on earth Debussy would have written in the 1920s and beyond’. Bavouzet’s previous two volumes have been very well received both critically and commercially. In a recent review of volume two the LA Times wrote, ‘In what may turn out to be the greatest complete recorded survey of the composer’s piano music yet, Jean-Efflam Bavouzet… plays with such bracing clarity that hearing the early Romantic pieces, one feels like jumping into an icy pond after an hour in the sauna’. Of the same volume International Record Review has noted, ‘I had the highest praise for Jean-Efflam Bavouzet’s first volume of Debussy, and the present disc is fully the equal of that one in terms of colour, refinement of touch, spontaneity and technical finish… Bavouzet has written that his Debussy playing has been influenced by that of Gieseking, Michelangeli and Richter. You may hear something of each of these pianists in his playing but more than that you will hear his own distinctive and special voice’. This series is a deeply personal project for Bavouzet who has been involved in all aspects of the recording process.

Tour De France

Quintessenz is the name of this flute ensemble hailing from Leipzig. On this, their first recording, they play such classic and well known pieces as Saint-Saens’ “Carnival of the Animals” and Bizet’s “Children’s Games”. Together with music by Debussy and Ravel. Not only is the playing world class but the ensemble performs the music in their own arrangements. A unique and talented group of musicians.

Debussy - Complete Piano Works Volume 2

Complete Solo Piano Music, Vol.2

Kapell reDiscovered

Nuite d’etoiles - Harp music by Debussy

Debussy’s piano music arranged for the harp by Xavier de Maistre

Debussy - Impressions

Although he never envisioned a career as a virtuoso performer, Debussy was a highly accomplished pianist having studied at the Paris Conservatoire from the age of 10. His piano pieces are some of the most sublime in the repertoire and the collection on this release are some of his most popular. Japanese pianist Momo Kodama studied with Murray Perahia and Andreas Schiff. These are fine and accomplished performances form this young and extremely talented artiste.

Impressions

Debussy - Complete Works for Solo Piano Volume 3