Customer Reviews

Debussy & Ravel: Piano Works - Samson Francois (6 CD's)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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

I first heard Samson Francois play Ravel on an old phonograph record and

was amazed at his interpretation. When I bought this collection it became

one of my all time favorites. The emotion and feeling he puts into the

music along with his technical skill never cease to amaze me. The only down

side is the recording quality. It is a bit weak. I can overlook that with

the stellar performances. Buy this set and you will not be disappointed.

samson was one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century his debussy was sublime and his color palete to impresionism is unsurpassed. could someone tell me if these recordings of his debussy are the stereo ones

Samson Francois was one of the great interpreters of Debussy and Ravel. These recordings do ample justice to his pianism and his magnificent interpretations. The sound is pretty good.

"Piano Works" would lead you to believe that 1) whole works are represented, not selections thereof and 2) that every whole work composed is included. Neither would be true of this set. Bizarrely enough they manage to inlcude 23 out of 24 preludes [?] and 5 of the 6 etudes from book 2 and nothing from book one of the etudes. I'm sure there is a reason but as it is this is deceptively mis-titled.

Having purchased this boxed "Piano Works," I find I will have to retrace my steps and also buy Debussy's "piano works" amounting to three cds worth.

The playing is good. I'm assuming all the notes were struck but given the omissions already noted maybe not.