Debussy

• Main performer: Claudio Arrau
• Booklet languages: French, English
• Time: 175:17
• Release Date: 2003

Review

When they were released in the early '80s, Claudio Arrau was in his late seventies and some said the virtuoso Chilean pianist was too old to play Debussy's preludes, Images, and Estampes, claiming that his famous velvet tone and polished technique were no longer up to the extreme technical challenge. And although opinion came down against his sometimes expansive tempos and his occasional ritardandos at climaxes, listeners soon found themselves returning more and more often to Arrau's luminous sonorities in Et la lune descend sur le temple qui fut, to his mysterious tonalities in Des pas sur la neige and to his consummate virtuosity in Feux d'artifice and finding deep satisfaction in their profound beauty. So when Arrau's 1991 recording of Debussy's Suite Bergamasque, Pour le piano, La plus que lente, and Valse romantique was posthumously released in 1992, listeners were ready and receptive. And Arrau did not disappoint: these are among the most exquisitely beautiful Debussy performances ever recorded. The radiance of his Clair de lune, the sensuality of his La plus que lent, and, most amazingly, the extraordinary virtuosity of his Passepied belie his 88 years. Captured in Philips' transparent yet immediate piano sound, these performances should be heard by anyone who loves Debussy's piano music or great piano playing. ~ James Leonard, All Music Guide

Performances

Composer	Title	Time
Claude Debussy	Préludes (12) for piano, Book I, L. 117	42:56
Claude Debussy	Images (3), for piano, Set I, L. 110	16:28
Claude Debussy	Estampes, for piano, L. 100	14:56
Claude Debussy	Préludes (12) for piano, Book II, L. 123	43:49
Claude Debussy	Images (3), for piano, Set II, L. 111	16:09
Claude Debussy	Suite bergamasque, for piano, L. 75	24:09
Claude Debussy	Sarabande "Souvenir du Louvre," for piano, L. 87/2	5:20
Claude Debussy	La plus que lente, waltz for piano (or orchestra), L. 121	6:28
Claude Debussy	Valse romantique, for piano, L. 71	5:02