Suggestions for Debussy Recordings?

[Edward Hanna]

All,

I am looking for a complete set of recordings for Debussy's piano music. I have one set by Werner Haas but it is a very dry rendition, and of course, Debussy was anything but dry.

Can anyone suggest a better set, someone who is very expressionistic with their interpretations?

Thanks!

[Rune Vejby]

Hi Edward,


The best recording of Debussy I have heard so far is by the pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet. I think he has recorded most of Debussy's works and also recorded them in various editions. I have been listening to some of his recordings of the 1980's but if you search the net you will learn that he has also recorded the works of Debussy in the 1990's. I only know the recording from 1980's and I find it truly beautiful. Also alot of Debussy's relatively unknown compositions are on those CD's.

[Todd]

If you want complete or near-complete Debussy, the best way to go, by far, is Walter Gieseking's 1950s cycle on EMI. The sound is more than serviceable, and the performances beyond all but the rarest of pianists (like Michelangeli). Daniel Ericourt's early 1960s cycle on Ivory Classics is nearly as good, though the sound is, if anything, even worse. Among more recent sets, my favorite is easily Michel Beroff's Denon recordings from the late 90s. A couple of the five discs are available only in Japan, but all five are simply a marvel. Beroff's touch is wonderfully variegated and the sound among the best I've heard.

If more expressionistic playing is your thing (as you mention), than Aldo Ciccolini's EMI set may be worth considering. It's cheap, in good sound, and is vibrant indeed.

[acc]

My favourite is the set by Noël Lee.