Debussy: The Complete Piano Music [Box set]

Claude Debussy (Composer), Gordon Fergus-Thompson (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Gordon Fergus-Thompson
• Composer: Claude Debussy
• Audio CD (August 24, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 4
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Asv Living Era
• ASIN: B0001Z2RSM
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #30,329 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #28 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Ballads
  • #44 in Music > Classical > Ballets & Dances > Waltzes
  • #52 in Music > Miscellaneous > Exercise

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Debussy with a difference!, March 9, 2007

By 

Scriabinmahler (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Debussy: The Complete Piano Music (Audio CD)

Do not let the dismissive review below make you dismiss this amazing and breath taking complete set. Like his Scriabin recordings, Gordon Fergus-Thompson works wonder with the well known piece like Clair de Lune, Arabesque and Reverie, and breathes new life into the music by his keen sense of tonal colours and delicacy. When it comes to impressionist music, no pianists can match Richter, who played Clair de Lune, Pavane or miroirs like a miracle, but Fergus-Thompson creats his own unique soundscape.

He is one of very few pianists alive who pay careful attention to how a note produced on the instrument decays and merges with other notes, while most of pianist nowadays focus mostly on starting point of the sound. That's a secret of the richness of colours and expression in his pianism.

He is often criticised for lack of technical prowess, compared to past masters like Gieseking or Michelangeli, but I can not detect even a hint of technical weakness or instability in this set. This is simply a different and highly personal interpretation, and it is a shame to miss out this magical music making simply because it is different from the mainstream interpretation.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Complete Debussy, December 12, 2006

By 

Peter Martin (Wilton, NC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Debussy: The Complete Piano Music (Audio CD)

These recordings are some of the highest quality Debussy you'll find. There is a freedom that comes across in Fergus-Thompson's playing that you won't find in other so-called great recordings. Instead of trying to sound "Debussy-like", the music is played naturally while maintaining accuracy and original intent of the composer. Recording quality is up to date. Box set is 4 discs, with the body nicely separated into larger works with dates included.

12 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully interpreted, February 12, 2007

By 

kknoll (Wausau, WI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Debussy: The Complete Piano Music (Audio CD)

Gordon Fergus-Thompson does an amazing job of playing and interpreting Debussy's music. I have been playing piano for years--especially Debussy--and this CD really captures the essence of the music. I'd recommend this to anyone.