Debussy & Ravel: Piano Works - Samson Francois (6 CD's) [Box set]

Samson Francois (Artist), Claude Debussy (Artist), Maurice Ravel (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 2, 2004)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 6
• 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: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B0002RUAEM
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #262,793 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

See all items

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent playing, terrible audio from EMI, January 24, 2009

By 

C. Stern "lincolnstern" (Chapel Hill, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Debussy & Ravel: Piano Works - Samson Francois (6 CD's) (Audio CD)

The playing of Samson Francois and the music of Debussy and Ravel together are spectacular. However, the audio in this particular EMI box set is over-processed, resulting in a dry, unnatural sound. At first, it's not obvious (you'll be thinking, "wow, this is great music, and great playing!") -- but eventually, your ears will start to hurt. I can't give Samson + Ravel & Debussy anything less than 4 stars, but, really -- DON'T BUY THIS BOX SET. Get a different version of the same recordings. EMI clearly does this a lot, judging by the reviews of the Schnabel/Beethoven.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yesterday Francois would be celebrating his eighty-two anniversary, May 19, 2006

By 

Hiram Gomez Pardo (Valencia, Venezuela) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Debussy & Ravel: Piano Works - Samson Francois (6 CD's) (Audio CD)

Samson Francois figure has evidenced slow but increasing enhancement through the years. His notable pianism, aristocratic approach and refined phrasing are some of his virtues.

If you still do not know about this legendary artist, no it s the time for you to convince by yourself about the supreme level occupied by him.

When he left us in 1970 at his 46, he had so much to give. The musical world remained legitimately orphan and much more vile since his premature death.

But, fortunately his legacy will live among us, every time you listen any record you acquire of this peerless musician.

His Ravel is loaded not only of notable, sensual and asserive expressiveness. If you know about some other performance able to equal his Gaspard de la nuit, please, be my guest.

His Debussy is sober, eloquent with Impresionist flair and sublime musicality.

A true artistic and a fundamental treasure in your collection.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars samson francois: astounding performer, astounding cd, April 6, 2010

By 

Meg W - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Debussy & Ravel: Piano Works - Samson Francois (6 CD's) (Audio CD)

I have to admit that I am biased, because Samson Francois is my favorite pianist, but I have to say that this CD box set is sublime. The style may not be to everyone's taste, as Samson Francois has a very individual, dry, humorous, and very French, take on these classic French impressionist composers. However, if the interpretation of this particular pianist accords with you, you will find this box set wonderful.

I was initially reluctant to risk buying this CD due to negative comments by other reviewers about the CD tracklist's incompleteness and poor sound quality of this CD. I have to say that since this CD arrived I have not noticed a problem with either of these things, except that the volume is slightly too low and required turning up the speaker volume to near maximum.

Meg White, UK