Debussy Piano Music Volume 1 - Paul Roberts

CRC501-2

£10.00

Images Book I, Préludes Book II, Estampes

Track Listing:

[1] Images Book II - Cloches a travers les feuilles
[2] - Et la lune descend sur la temple qui fut
[3] - Poissons d'or
[4] Préludes Book I - Danseuses de Delphe
[5] - Voiles
[6] - Le vent dans la plaine
[7] - "les sons et les parfums tournent dans l'air du soir"
[8] - Les collines d'Anacapri
[9] - Des pas sur la neige
[10] - Ce qu'a vu le Vent d'Oest
[11] - La fille aux cheveux de lin
[12] - La sérénade interrompue
[13] - La cathédrale engloutie
[14] - Danse de Puck
[15] - Minstrels
[16] Estampes - Pagodes
[17] - La soirée dans Grenade
[18] - Jardins sous la pluie

Total playing time 70:40

Reviews:

The British pianist Paul Roberts has made a particular study of Debussy’s piano music, and his book on the subject is due to be published in November. The most thoughtful preparation is apparent in every sound he makes, yet the music also flows, as if of its own accord. The piano is a Bösendorfer which has as much power and brilliance as you need in 'Ce qu’a vule vent d’ouest', as well as limpid clarity and warmth in the following Prélude, 'La Fille aux cheveux de lin'. In the best ever recording of the Préludes made by Paul Jacobs in the late 1970s and now available on Elektra-Nonesuch, though only in the United States, the piano was also a Bösendorfer. Roberts cannot quite mach Jacobs’ mercurial virtuosity in 'Le Vent dans la plaine', where he takes his time to register the caprices of the weather, nor does he conjure up such flickering effects as Jacobs in 'Poissons d’or' from Images II. But he has a deep sense of repose, whilst remaining alert to surface detail, which some people may prefer to Jacobs’ intensity. There seems little doubt that Roberts’ version of Préludes is the most desirable modern recording currently available in the UK.
Classic CD November 1995

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