Debussy Etudes

[Peter Lemken]

I am amidst a longer write-up of my experience with Richter's selection of
Debussy Etudes and before I post it, I'd like to hear your opinion about
available and non-available (Loriod?) recordings of these pieces.

What are your favorite recordings? Are there any live recordings besides
Richter? Is Pollini really the worst recording or can it get any worse?


Peter Lemken
Berlin

[j***@aol.com]

Richter? Debussy Etudes? Did he do more than half of them? What label?

--Jeff

Post by Peter Lemken
I am amidst a longer write-up of my experience with Richter's

selection of

Post by Peter Lemken
Debussy Etudes and before I post it, I'd like to hear your opinion about
available and non-available (Loriod?) recordings of these pieces.
What are your favorite recordings? Are there any live recordings besides
Richter? Is Pollini really the worst recording or can it get any worse?
Peter Lemken
Berlin
--
"For me its America's Army. I'm watching the nightly news of Marines clearing
houses in Fallujah and thinking to myself "Why don't they RPG that house
first, then throw in flash bangs and frag nades before kicking that door in?""

[p***@hotmail.com]

Doremi in their ongoing Richter series, volume 8 (DHR 7796) has a
recital given on March 18, 1990 in Savona, Italy which has Debussy's
Etudes Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 10, 12. Mozart's Sonata in B-Flat Major,
K. 570 and Prokofiev's Sonata fill out the disc. The first three
months of 1970 found Richter playing his selection of the etudes no
less then seven times.

Peter Schenkma

[p***@hotmail.com]

The Prokofiev Sonata in No. 4.

Peter Schenkman

[p***@hotmail.com]

The Prokofiev Sonata is No. 4.

Peter Schenkman

[j***@aol.com]

Post by p***@hotmail.com
Doremi in their ongoing Richter series, volume 8 (DHR 7796) has a
recital given on March 18, 1990 in Savona, Italy which has Debussy's
Etudes Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 10, 12. Mozart's Sonata in B-Flat Major,
K. 570 and Prokofiev's Sonata fill out the disc. The first three
months of 1970 found Richter playing his selection of the etudes no
less then seven times.
Peter Schenkma

Yes, I've seen this. So no 5,6,7,9 or 11...

--Jeff

[Bob Lombard]

Post by Peter Lemken
I am amidst a longer write-up of my experience with Richter's selection of
Debussy Etudes and before I post it, I'd like to hear your opinion about
available and non-available (Loriod?) recordings of these pieces.
What are your favorite recordings? Are there any live recordings besides
Richter? Is Pollini really the worst recording or can it get any worse?
Peter Lemken
Berlin

My favorite Debussy Etudes are Rosen's, the R.E.B. and then the Epic. They
are far from 'central', but/and they work very well. I think the Jacobs is
close behind, but I can't bring anything back from my hearing of them... now
I have to do that. Where am I going to find the time?

bl

[Steve Emerson]

Post by Peter Lemken
I am amidst a longer write-up of my experience with Richter's selection of
Debussy Etudes and before I post it, I'd like to hear your opinion about
available and non-available (Loriod?) recordings of these pieces.

Yes to Loriod.
Yes to Rosen 1950.
Probably a yes to Fou Ts'ong, which I'm just getting to know (can't vouch for
the accompanying Preludes).

SE.

[sidoze]

I have a question: What do you guys think of the Pludermacher recording
which won all 3 major French awards about 15 years ago?

[Tom Deacon]

On 2/23/05 6:54 PM, in article

Post by sidoze
I have a question: What do you guys think of the Pludermacher recording
which won all 3 major French awards about 15 years ago?

I thought it was good at the time of release, Peter, but not exceptional.

Interestingly enough, a recent full scale review of all existing recordings
of the Etudes in the Piano magazine ended up by recommending the Uchida
performance on Philips as the best of the lot. I have to say it is quite the
best thing she has done, in my opinion. And she can play those pieces, as
the video release showed to all those who continue to doubt her abilities.

TD

[Marc Perman]

Post by Tom Deacon
Interestingly enough, a recent full scale review of all existing recordings
of the Etudes in the Piano magazine ended up by recommending the Uchida
performance on Philips as the best of the lot. I have to say it is quite the
best thing she has done, in my opinion. And she can play those pieces, as
the video release showed to all those who continue to doubt her abilities.

Wasn't this in Gramophone?

I'm partial to Dino Ciani.

Marc Perman

[Tom Deacon]

Post by Marc Perman

Post by Tom Deacon
Interestingly enough, a recent full scale review of all existing recordings
of the Etudes in the Piano magazine ended up by recommending the Uchida
performance on Philips as the best of the lot. I have to say it is quite the
best thing she has done, in my opinion. And she can play those pieces, as
the video release showed to all those who continue to doubt her abilities.

Wasn't this in Gramophone?

Could be. I don't keep track of such things. Maybe it was even Bryce
Morrison who wrote it.

I just remember the conclusion and largely agreeing with the choice.

TD

[sidoze]

Hi Tom, thanks for your comments. My name is actually Tony, but no hard
feelings :)

[Dan Koren]

Post by sidoze
Hi Tom, thanks for your comments.
My name is actually Tony, but no
hard feelings :)

You have to change it ASAP ;-)



dk

[j***@aol.com]

Post by Marc Perman

Post by Tom Deacon
Interestingly enough, a recent full scale review of all existing recordings
of the Etudes in the Piano magazine ended up by recommending the Uchida
performance on Philips as the best of the lot. I have to say it is

quite

Post by Marc Perman

Post by Tom Deacon
the
best thing she has done, in my opinion. And she can play those pieces, as
the video release showed to all those who continue to doubt her abilities.

Wasn't this in Gramophone?
I'm partial to Dino Ciani.
Marc Perman

I'm partial to Ciani as well, but I'm only familiar with his Preludes.
Did he record the Etudes?


--Jeff

[L***@aol.com]

Garrick Ohlsson's Debussy Etudes have some fascinating abstract
blendings with pedal. His is a much freer approach than one would
expect from an etude. I like his way with the colors.

**************Val

[Dan Koren]

Post by L***@aol.com
Garrick Ohlsson's Debussy Etudes have some fascinating abstract
blendings with pedal. His is a much freer approach than one would
expect from an etude.

But what would you expect from a pianist?



dk

[Vaneyes]

Post by Tom Deacon
On 2/23/05 6:54 PM, in article
Interestingly enough, a recent full scale review of all existing recordings
of the Etudes in the Piano magazine ended up by recommending the Uchida
performance on Philips as the best of the lot. I have to say it is quite the
best thing she has done, in my opinion. And she can play those

pieces, as

Post by Tom Deacon
the video release showed to all those who continue to doubt her abilities.

Like many, I had this knee-jerk recommendation that I'd play
occasionally, waiting for ice to break. It never did. Finally wized up
and got rid of it.

And then the Boffard came along. Satisfaction.

Regards

[Dan Koren]

Post by Tom Deacon
Interestingly enough, a recent full scale review of
all existing recordings of the Etudes in the Piano
magazine ended up by recommending the Uchida
performance on Philips as the best of the lot.

Geez! What else would you expect?

Mme Uchida can do no more wrong
according to certain "experts"
than can the Moron Perahia.

When was the last time any Uchida
CD was panned, no matter how bad
it was?



dk

[Dan Koren]

Post by Peter Lemken
I am amidst a longer write-up of my experience with Richter's selection of
Debussy Etudes and before I post it, I'd like to hear your opinion about
available and non-available (Loriod?) recordings of these pieces.
What are your favorite recordings?

Yitkin Seow and Anne Queffelec.

Post by Peter Lemken
Are there any live recordings besides Richter?
Is Pollini really the worst recording or can it
get any worse?

I heard Pollini live around the same time he
recorded them. It wasn't all that bad, in his
colorless mechanical fashion. The whole thing
sounded better live than it does on disc.



dk

[Steve Emerson]

Post by Dan Koren
Yitkin Seow and Anne Queffelec.

The Queffelec -- label? CD or LP?

I can well imagine it's good.

Thanks,
SE.

[Tom Deacon]

On 2/24/05 1:12 AM, in article

Post by Steve Emerson

Post by Dan Koren
Yitkin Seow and Anne Queffelec.

The Queffelec -- label? CD or LP?
I can well imagine it's good.

It is.

Erato STD 71384.

Another winner by the great Yolanta Skura.

Perhaps it has been released on CD. Don't know.

TD

[Steve Emerson]

Post by Tom Deacon

Post by Steve Emerson
The Queffelec -- label? CD or LP?
I can well imagine it's good.

It is.
Erato STD 71384.
Another winner by the great Yolanta Skura.
Perhaps it has been released on CD. Don't know.

Thanks for the information, Tom. I don't suppose we can work out a leasing
arrangement for your LP?

SE.

[Tom Deacon]

On 2/24/05 2:42 PM, in article

Post by Steve Emerson

Post by Tom Deacon

Post by Steve Emerson
The Queffelec -- label? CD or LP?
I can well imagine it's good.

It is.
Erato STD 71384.
Another winner by the great Yolanta Skura.
Perhaps it has been released on CD. Don't know.

Thanks for the information, Tom. I don't suppose we can work out a leasing
arrangement for your LP?

Now wouldn't that be nice.

Except the last time I "shared" some of my recordings with a member of this
group, he turned out to be an ungrateful wretch.

I don't imagine that you would metamorphose in that direction, Steve, but
once bitten, twice shy, as they say in the Bronx.

TD

[Wayne Reimer]

Post by Dan Koren

Post by Peter Lemken
I am amidst a longer write-up of my experience with Richter's selection of
Debussy Etudes and before I post it, I'd like to hear your opinion about
available and non-available (Loriod?) recordings of these pieces.
What are your favorite recordings?

Yitkin Seow and Anne Queffelec.

Post by Peter Lemken
Are there any live recordings besides Richter?
Is Pollini really the worst recording or can it
get any worse?

I heard Pollini live around the same time he
recorded them. It wasn't all that bad, in his
colorless mechanical fashion. The whole thing
sounded better live than it does on disc.

I once tuned in to a broadcast of Pollini doing them live, without knowing who
was playing, and I thought it might be a student recital that was going very
badly - I kept waiting for the player to simply stop altogether and admit
failure. It was painful. I was, to put it mildly, amazed when the announcer
said it was Pollini. Come to think of it, I'm still amazed.

wr

[Dan Koren]

Post by Wayne Reimer
I once tuned in to a broadcast of Pollini doing them live,
without knowing who was playing, and I thought it might be
a student recital that was going very badly - I kept waiting
for the player to simply stop altogether and admit failure.
It was painful. I was, to put it mildly, amazed when the
announcer said it was Pollini. Come to think of it, I'm
still amazed.

I am not.

Many (perhaps most) pianists do not age well.

Pollini in particular has not aged well at all,
especially when one considers the extremely
high expectations engendered by his Chopin win
in 1960 and by his early recordings. If I think
about his recordings, it seems that his style
took rather abrupt turns for the worse (IMHO)
in the mid to late '70s, and then again in the
early '90s.

The last time I hear him live (November or
December 2000 in London) his playing was so
abysmal that the person sitting next to me
whispered "this man has neither touch nor
sound" (or something like that). That was
before one could even start counting the
scores of missed notes in the Kreisleriana
and the Liszt Sonata.

Sic transit gloria mundi.


dk

[j***@aol.com]

Post by Dan Koren

Post by Peter Lemken
I am amidst a longer write-up of my experience with Richter's

selection of

Post by Dan Koren

Post by Peter Lemken
Debussy Etudes and before I post it, I'd like to hear your opinion

about

Post by Dan Koren

Post by Peter Lemken
available and non-available (Loriod?) recordings of these pieces.
What are your favorite recordings?

Yitkin Seow and Anne Queffelec.

What do you think of Ericourt?

--Jeff

[Dan Koren]

Post by Peter Lemken

Post by Dan Koren

Post by Peter Lemken
I am amidst a longer write-up of my experience with Richter's

selection of

Post by Dan Koren

Post by Peter Lemken
Debussy Etudes and before I post it, I'd like to hear your opinion

about

Post by Dan Koren

Post by Peter Lemken
available and non-available (Loriod?) recordings of these pieces.
What are your favorite recordings?

Yitkin Seow and Anne Queffelec.

What do you think of Ericourt?

Nothing.

I have not heard (of) him.


dk

[Tom Deacon]

Post by Dan Koren

Post by Peter Lemken

Post by Dan Koren

Post by Peter Lemken
I am amidst a longer write-up of my experience with Richter's

selection of

Post by Dan Koren

Post by Peter Lemken
Debussy Etudes and before I post it, I'd like to hear your opinion

about

Post by Dan Koren

Post by Peter Lemken
available and non-available (Loriod?) recordings of these pieces.
What are your favorite recordings?

Yitkin Seow and Anne Queffelec.

What do you think of Ericourt?

Nothing.
I have not heard (of) him.

His Debussy recordings have been released by Ivory Classics, admittedly in a
less than ideal transfer from a set of LPs. The mastertapes sit unloved in
Hannover, along with all the Kapp recordings. Incidentally, these were among
the very first recordings produced by Alan Silver, who went on to found
Connoisseur Society and InSync.

TD

[Dan Koren]

Post by Tom Deacon

Post by Dan Koren

Post by Peter Lemken

Post by Dan Koren

Post by Peter Lemken
I am amidst a longer write-up of my experience with Richter's

selection of

Post by Dan Koren

Post by Peter Lemken
Debussy Etudes and before I post it, I'd like to hear your opinion

about

Post by Dan Koren

Post by Peter Lemken
available and non-available (Loriod?) recordings of these pieces.
What are your favorite recordings?

Yitkin Seow and Anne Queffelec.

What do you think of Ericourt?

Nothing.
I have not heard (of) him.

His Debussy recordings have been released by Ivory Classics, admittedly in a
less than ideal transfer from a set of LPs. The mastertapes sit unloved in
Hannover, along with all the Kapp recordings. Incidentally, these were among
the very first recordings produced by Alan Silver, who went on to found
Connoisseur Society and InSync.

Thanks for the info, but you didn't
say anything about the performances.



dk

[Tom Deacon]

Post by Dan Koren

Post by Tom Deacon

Post by Dan Koren

Post by Peter Lemken

Post by Dan Koren

Post by Peter Lemken
I am amidst a longer write-up of my experience with Richter's

selection of

Post by Dan Koren

Post by Peter Lemken
Debussy Etudes and before I post it, I'd like to hear your opinion

about

Post by Dan Koren

Post by Peter Lemken
available and non-available (Loriod?) recordings of these pieces.
What are your favorite recordings?

Yitkin Seow and Anne Queffelec.

What do you think of Ericourt?

Nothing.
I have not heard (of) him.

His Debussy recordings have been released by Ivory Classics, admittedly in a
less than ideal transfer from a set of LPs. The mastertapes sit unloved in
Hannover, along with all the Kapp recordings. Incidentally, these were among
the very first recordings produced by Alan Silver, who went on to found
Connoisseur Society and InSync.

Thanks for the info, but you didn't
say anything about the performances.

I wouldn't presume to anticipate your reaction to this artist, who knew
Debussy and Ravel, and who only died recently.

TD

[Dan Koren]

Post by Tom Deacon

Post by Dan Koren
Thanks for the info, but you didn't
say anything about the performances.

I wouldn't presume to anticipate your
reaction to this artist, who knew
Debussy and Ravel, and who only
died recently.

You don't have to "anticipate" anyone's
reaction in order to share yours. As to
the fact Ericourt knew Debussy and Ravel,
it does not sway me in any way. I do not
believe that knowing a composer always
translates into deeper insight into the
music. There have been enough examples
and counter-examples to suggest it does
not.

I will listen to it as soon as I get a
chance.



dk

[Tom Deacon]

Post by Dan Koren

Post by Tom Deacon

Post by Dan Koren
Thanks for the info, but you didn't
say anything about the performances.

I wouldn't presume to anticipate your
reaction to this artist, who knew
Debussy and Ravel, and who only
died recently.

You don't have to "anticipate" anyone's
reaction in order to share yours. As to
the fact Ericourt knew Debussy and Ravel,
it does not sway me in any way. I do not
believe that knowing a composer always
translates into deeper insight into the
music. There have been enough examples
and counter-examples to suggest it does
not.
I will listen to it as soon as I get a
chance.

It is so rewarding for some of us to aid and abet your continuing education.

TD

[Alan Cooper]

Post by Dan Koren

Post by Peter Lemken
I am amidst a longer write-up of my experience with Richter's selection of
Debussy Etudes and before I post it, I'd like to hear your opinion about
available and non-available (Loriod?) recordings of these pieces.
What are your favorite recordings?

Yitkin Seow and Anne Queffelec.

Queffelec is one of my favorite pianists, but I missed her recording
of the Etudes. Details, please.

In addition to the Loriod set, which Steve already mentioned, I like
Roger Woodward's, an Australian Broadcasting Co recording.

AC

[pgaron]

Post by Dan Koren

Post by Peter Lemken
I am amidst a longer write-up of my experience with Richter's

selection of

Post by Dan Koren

Post by Peter Lemken
Debussy Etudes and before I post it, I'd like to hear your opinion

about

Post by Dan Koren

Post by Peter Lemken
available and non-available (Loriod?) recordings of these pieces.
What are your favorite recordings?

Yitkin Seow and Anne Queffelec.

The former needs a new set of names. ;o)

pgaron

[Matthew B. Tepper]

Post by pgaron

Post by Dan Koren

Post by Peter Lemken
I am amidst a longer write-up of my experience with Richter's
selection of
Debussy Etudes and before I post it, I'd like to hear your opinion
about available and non-available (Loriod?) recordings of these
pieces.
What are your favorite recordings?

Yitkin Seow and Anne Queffelec.

The former needs a new set of names. ;o)

I suggest he get spoonerized to Sitkin Yeow.

Given the choice, I'd rather listen to Muza Rubackyté than to Britney Spears.

[Tom Deacon]

Post by Matthew B. Tepper

Post by pgaron

Post by Dan Koren

Post by Peter Lemken
I am amidst a longer write-up of my experience with Richter's
selection of
Debussy Etudes and before I post it, I'd like to hear your opinion
about available and non-available (Loriod?) recordings of these
pieces.
What are your favorite recordings?

Yitkin Seow and Anne Queffelec.

The former needs a new set of names. ;o)

I suggest he get spoonerized to Sitkin Yeow.
Given the choice, I'd rather listen to Muza Rubackyté than to Britney Spears.

But which one would Tepper prefer in his bed? That is the question, of
course.

TD

[Brian Cantin]

Post by Peter Lemken
I am amidst a longer write-up of my experience with Richter's selection of
Debussy Etudes and before I post it, I'd like to hear your opinion about
available and non-available (Loriod?) recordings of these pieces.
What are your favorite recordings? Are there any live recordings besides
Richter? Is Pollini really the worst recording or can it get any worse?

Try Jacobs.

[Wayne Reimer]

Post by Peter Lemken
I am amidst a longer write-up of my experience with Richter's selection of
Debussy Etudes and before I post it, I'd like to hear your opinion about
available and non-available (Loriod?) recordings of these pieces.
What are your favorite recordings? Are there any live recordings besides
Richter? Is Pollini really the worst recording or can it get any worse?

My current favorite is Boffard, who is just wonderful to listen from almost any
point of view - technique, expressivity (restrained, but not absent), style,
sound. I think the Uchida has been generally over-rated, since it is rather
lumpy, clunky, and crude in spite of the occasional nice expressive point; not
her best stuff. Another set I have thought of as over-rated is the Jacobs,
which always seemed strangely empty and sort of McDebussy-ish to me, but it's
been a while since I gave it a listen, so I'm not sure I still think so.

wr

[Ian Pace]

Post by Wayne Reimer

Post by Peter Lemken
I am amidst a longer write-up of my experience with Richter's selection of
Debussy Etudes and before I post it, I'd like to hear your opinion about
available and non-available (Loriod?) recordings of these pieces.
What are your favorite recordings? Are there any live recordings besides
Richter? Is Pollini really the worst recording or can it get any worse?

My current favorite is Boffard, who is just wonderful to listen from almost any
point of view - technique, expressivity (restrained, but not absent), style,
sound. I think the Uchida has been generally over-rated, since it is rather
lumpy, clunky, and crude in spite of the occasional nice expressive point; not
her best stuff. Another set I have thought of as over-rated is the Jacobs,
which always seemed strangely empty and sort of McDebussy-ish to me, but it's
been a while since I gave it a listen, so I'm not sure I still think so.

I'm glad others like the Boffard (the Bartok recordings on the same disc are
also fabulous). Uchida and Jacobs are my favourites, though (grew up with
the Jacobs recording on LP, so maybe I have a particular sympathy towards it
in part for that reason). Aimard's was a big disappointment, simply seemed
rather middle-of-the-road in an unexpected way, not dissimilar to Pollini's
DG recording. Planes has some good things, but it's not a patch on his
Preludes recording. Gieseking is OK but the pieces seem rather 'alien' to
him. Still haven't heard either of Rosen's recordings, alas.

Ian

[Allen]

Ian Pace wrote:
<snip>

Post by Ian Pace
I'm glad others like the Boffard (the Bartok recordings on the same disc are
also fabulous). Uchida and Jacobs are my favourites, though (grew up with
the Jacobs recording on LP, so maybe I have a particular sympathy towards it
in part for that reason).

Ian, there are two of us who share that opinion.
Allen

<snip>

[a***@aol.com]

I went through a whole heap of recordings of this, including most of
those mentioned, and I found I preferred Rosen, Ericourt and Thiboudet
by some margin, each of which has something distinctive to say about
these pieces. Ones I didn't especially like included Uchida (slick but
characterless) Pollini, Jacobs, Geiseking, and particularly Aimard
which I really disliked. I don't recollect hearing the Boffard and
Queffelec, though I may have heard some brief excerpts, and I haven't
heard Loriod. For incomplete versions, Horowitz is tantalising, as is
all his Debussy - why on earth didn't he record complete sets of the
pieces, since he played them so beautifully?

[Wayne Reimer]

Post by a***@aol.com
I went through a whole heap of recordings of this, including most of
those mentioned, and I found I preferred Rosen, Ericourt and Thiboudet
by some margin, each of which has something distinctive to say about
these pieces. Ones I didn't especially like included Uchida (slick but
characterless) Pollini, Jacobs, Geiseking, and particularly Aimard
which I really disliked. I don't recollect hearing the Boffard and
Queffelec, though I may have heard some brief excerpts, and I haven't
heard Loriod. For incomplete versions, Horowitz is tantalising, as is
all his Debussy - why on earth didn't he record complete sets of the
pieces, since he played them so beautifully?

Did Horowitz play complete sets in concert, but record only parts of them? I
thought the story was that he only played things he felt he could play well,
and left the things that didn't suit him for one reason or another (including
technique), alone.

wr

[Peter Lemken]

For those without, here is the score for th etudes as PDF:

https://bloatware.de/debussy-etudes.pdf

Peter Lemken
Berlin

[Tony]

Post by Peter Lemken
I am amidst a longer write-up of my experience with Richter's

selection of

Post by Peter Lemken
Debussy Etudes and before I post it, I'd like to hear your opinion about
available and non-available (Loriod?) recordings of these pieces.
What are your favorite recordings? Are there any live recordings besides
Richter? Is Pollini really the worst recording or can it get any worse?
Peter Lemken
Berlin

Sounds like a great project, Peter.

The four that Horowitz recorded are exceptional. A real pity he left
no complete recording of these works. Same goes for Michelangeli, a
real loss. I once saw Pollini perform the etudes live on RAI, and the
readings were much more vital than his studio recording. I don't know
how that live performance compares to the unofficial CD release, which
I have not heard, but if anyone would care to share it, let me know :)

One individual etude recording that is a real winner is Van Cliburn's
reading of the octave etude.

Tony

[Dan Koren]

Post by Tony
One individual etude recording that is a real
winner is Van Cliburn's reading of the octave
etude.

He can afford to play them as if they were thirds.



dk