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In the Forum: Musical Discussions
In the Thread: More Gieseking!
Post Subject: Debussy; Angel 35065Posted by Paul S on: 7/4/2008
A while back, during a discussion about music, a friend sat down and played for me a "Romantic" rendition of Debussy that literally had me in tears. Afterward, she +/- dismissed it as a "parlor trick", saying that to play Debussy "correctly" is another matter altogether.
Here is Gieseking, with not the best of instruments, IMO, playing soem "break-out" Debussy as natural chroma, in what is for me a revelatory style. Chords and de-constructed cords alike are rendered with more color and dynamic variation that one would think possible, without sacrificing the piece entire to the technique. G is at once incisive and incredibly sensitive to both critical differences and the unusual "thematic" "threads" that keep Debussy's "sound paintings" from being just interesting (or annoying) noise. No way anyone could play like this without either profound insight into this music or the ability to "channel" someone who does have it.
The recording must be "bi-naural"; the soundfield/ambience are very nice in "stereo". It is plenty good enough, albeit with the usual Angel vinyl/surface noise, which on my copy is soft enough to disappear when absorbed, listening, which the performances ensure.
If you have ever walked out on a Debussy recital (Lord knows, I have...), you owe it to yourself to hear how Gieseking does it.
Bravo.
Paul SRerurn to Romy the Cat's Site