Search - Claude Debussy, Krystian Zimerman :: Claude Debussy: Préludes

Stunning!

12/04/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Not a lot of people know that Debussy had a reputation for being a "barbaric" pianist during his conservatory days. What a contrast to the hazy impressionist we usually like to see him (and play him) as. And now here we have Zimerman strongly characterizing each prelude with an almost "barbaric" force (or should I say "vividness"?) when called for. One could almost say that he overcharacterizes, but that is a good fault! For once, these preludes are not overpedalled -- thus clarifying many textures (such as the opening of "Fireworks"). My only reservation is the fact that Zimerman does not take into account the idosyncratic meter/tempo changes in "The Sunken Cathedral." What a pity -- this set would've been perfect otherwise. But I certainly don't care. I'll play "The Sunken Catheral" to myself, but for the rest, Zimerman is just incomparable. This is a prime example of virtuosity serving the music, and not the other way around."

More art than artistry

Confusacat | 08/23/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There are very few "pure piano" CDs that I feel as strongly about as this one. Zimermann brings out the colors and variations of this instrument like hardly anybody else. This is a spacy, at times exotic recording, painting a picture of post romantic modern romanticism like no one else before or since. Forget Pollini, forget Perahia, forget Argerich, forget Bronfman; all great artists in their own, don't get me wrong; and take this one and see the clarity and the transparency, the punctuation and the timbres, of, say, the "Danceuses de Delphes" or "Le Vent dans la Pleine", and enjoy and dream and breathe...More art than artistry, exactly how I feel a Debussy should be. No haste, only the music itself! It's not a showpiece in terms of virtuosity, but like "La Mer", it has a life on its own and Zimermann lets it shine as such!Exceptional."

Not for sensitive ears

Confusacat | California | 10/26/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Debussy is my favorite composer and my music collection is home to multiple versions of every one of his important works. This recording was not welcome there for long. While many have found great pleasure in Zimerman's traversal of the preludes (Gramophone magazine placed it in its "100 greatest recordings of all time" edition) I was not at all pleased with the harsh sound of the DG recording, which robs the music of whatever charm Zimerman may have to offer, and I have since unburdened myself of this expensive set with absolutely no regrets. I know other Debussy lovers who had a similar reaction. To quote the more reliable Penguin Guide: "There is more than a hint of hardness in climaxes...some may find the level of intensity too much to live with." If you must find out for yourself, be sure to go for one of the used copies available for nearly 20 dollars less than the new ones, because there is a strong possibility that your reaction may not differ much from mine and my Debussy loving friends."