Jean-Yves Thibaudet ~ Debussy - complete piano works, vol. 1

Claude Debussy (Composer), Spoken Word (Composer), Jean-Yves Thibaudet (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Jean-Yves Thibaudet
• Composer: Claude Debussy, Spoken Word
• Audio CD (August 13, 1996)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B000004294
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #146,207 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Préludes (12) for piano, Book I, L. 117: 1. Danseuses de Delphes

2. Préludes (12) for piano, Book I, L. 117: 2. Voiles

3. Préludes (12) for piano, Book I, L. 117: 3. Le vent dans la plaine

4. Préludes (12) for piano, Book I, L. 117: 4. Les sons en les parfums tournent dans l'air du soir

5. Préludes (12) for piano, Book I, L. 117: 5. Les collines d'Anacapri

6. Préludes (12) for piano, Book I, L. 117: 6. Des pas sur la neige

See all 20 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Préludes (12) for piano, Book II, L. 123: 1. Brouillards

2. Préludes (12) for piano, Book II, L. 123: 2. Feuilles mortes

3. Préludes (12) for piano, Book II, L. 123: 3. La puerta del Vino

4. Préludes (12) for piano, Book II, L. 123: 4. Les fées sont d'exquises danseuses

5. Préludes (12) for piano, Book II, L. 123: 5. Bruyčres

6. Préludes (12) for piano, Book II, L. 123: 6. General Lavine - excentric

See all 21 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. Jean-Yves Thibaudet in conversation with Anthony Fabian

2. Jean-Yves Thibaudet entretien avec Philippe Danel

3. Jean-Yves Thibaudet gespräch mit Anne Schneider

4. Jean-Yves Thibaudet intervistato da Giorgio Giandomenici

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marvelous Playing from Thibaudet, January 24, 2010

By 

T. Schmalz (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jean-Yves Thibaudet ~ Debussy - complete piano works, vol. 1 (Audio CD)

After growing up listening to the classic, but dated Debussy recordings by Walter Gieseking and Maurizio Pollini, I had longed for a modern interpretation of these works with current recording technology and a young pianist. These desires were manifested in this collection of Debussy's piano works, as performed by Jean-Yves Thibaudet. From an interpretation perspective, the quality that struck most convincing was that of Thibaudet's ability to create an authentic "impressionistic" atmosphere. While his finger dexterity is flawless and each note is audible, Thibaudet's blend of musical color and controlled pedaling truly create music. Every piece presented here falls on the ear as if it had never been heard before. These are truly the "great" recordings of Debussy's music of the current generation. The Preludes are played with such finesse and attention to detail. "L'isle joyeuse" is particularly wonderful. I highly recommend this recording; it's just wonderful to have the combination of first-rate Decca sound and a world-class artist.

5.0 out of 5 stars Thibaudet's Debussy, September 9, 2008

By 

Christopher T. "RachMan" (Long Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jean-Yves Thibaudet ~ Debussy - complete piano works, vol. 1 (Audio CD)

Thibaudet's performances of the Debussy Preludes (all 24) is remarkable. For those already familiar with his work, this is not surprising. For newbies, you should give him a listen.

Thibaudet's expressiveness is breathtaking because he makes use of a wide dymanic palette, from hushed pianissimos (very soft tones) to masculine fortissimos (very loud tones). Debussy's octaves ring out with crystal clarity, his lush chords sparkle with all the color a good Steinway has to offer, and his single note passages are always clear and well-shaped. Thibaudet clearly understands Debussy, and his phrasing is exceptional.

I STRONGLY RECOMMEND THIS ALBUM (along with a similar by Krystian Zimerman, though it does have occasional background sounds--of the creaking bench and of Zimerman's heavy breathing). The Thibaudet set includes three CD's, by the way, so that you get other Debussy works besides the Preludes.

11 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superior recordings and performances, September 17, 2005

By 

Gontroppo "Music and Theology Lover" (Bathurst, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Jean-Yves Thibaudet ~ Debussy - complete piano works, vol. 1 (Audio CD)

The Penguin Guide to CDs and DVDs has Thibaudet's sets of the complete Debussy solo piano music at the top of the digital recordings, and this is certainly high quality.

We have several recordings of the Preludes and some other works, but there is nothing to come close to Thibaudet for great performances and superior recording quality.

The liner notes are very helpful, and in the first set you get different articles in English, French, German and Italian. Great if you are multilingual, but only of marginal interest to me. The second set has one article and translations, not separate articles.

Well worth purchasing.