Samson François was a unique individual; a poet among pianists, a noted composer, and a willful eccentric with a taste for the "good things" in life that probably led to his early death at age 46. François' recordings of French Impressionist music are every bit as unique as Glenn Gould's interpretations of Johann Sebastian Bach's keyboard music; not every pianist would make the interpretive choices François employs, but his perspective on the music is in itself fascinating. François did not indulge in superficially pretty playing of Debussy and Ravel, rather his approach had a toughness and seriousness of purpose that lends an altogether different air to this now-familiar music.
The recordings of Samson François are easily among the most significant of the stereo-recorded treasures in the vaults of EMI France, and his work has been repackaged and re-released on CD seemingly countless times. Five of the six discs in this package have appeared under separate cover as singles or double-disc sets in the past, the major exception being that the four-hand Ma Mère l'Oye François recorded with Pierre Barbizet fills out the Ravel concerto disc rather than François' famous recording of Gaspard de la nuit, which appears elsewhere in this set. The liner notes do not mention François, not even once; but his teacher Marguerite Long is referenced many times. This leads to the conclusion that EMI must have mixed up the booklet notes for a set of Marguerite Long recordings with this François set.
In certain cases one wishes François had a better piano at his disposal than some of clattering and tinkling instruments used here, or had been recorded in a less sonically dry environment. Therefore, this may not be the one and only account of Debussy and Ravel's piano music that one would want to acquire. This box set, however, is absurdly inexpensive, working out to six for the price of four at a typical midline price-point. If it is the pianist, rather than the work, that one is interested in, then this is certainly the way to go. One will need to turn these discs up, as they are mastered a tad quietly. ~ Uncle Dave Lewis, All Music Guide
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