Debussy: Préludes - Books 1 & 2 - Hyperion: CDA67530 - CD or download

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Steven Osborne's pedigree in French repertoire is such that it has been almost inevitable that he would record Debussy's Préludes at some point. He has much in his favour, notably a marvellous... — BBC Music Magazine, August 2006, 3 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 31st Aug 2006
Catalogue No: CDA67530
Label: Hyperion
Length: 77 minutes

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Debussy: Préludes - Book 1

Work length40:18

$12.00

$15.00

Steven Osborne (piano)

I. Danseuses de Delphes: Lent et grave

Track length3:09

$1.00

$1.25

II. Voiles: Modéré

Track length3:39

$1.00

$1.25

III. Le vent dans la plaine: Animé

Track length2:05

$1.00

$1.25

IV. Les sons et les parfums tournent dans l'air du soir: Modéré

Track length3:18

$1.00

$1.25

V. Les collines d'Anacapri: Très modéré

Track length2:59

$1.00

$1.25

VI. Des pas sur la neige: Triste et lent

Track length4:20

$1.00

$1.25

VII. Ce qu'a vu le vent d'ouest: Animé et tumultueux

Track length3:31

$1.00

$1.25

VIII. La fille aux cheveux de lin: Très calme et doucement expressif

Track length2:24

$1.00

$1.25

IX. La sérénade interrompue: Modérément animé

Track length2:42

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X. La cathédrale engloutie: Profondément calme

Track length6:50

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XI. La danse de Puck: Capricieux et léger

Track length2:49

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$1.25

XII. Minstrels: Modéré

Track length2:32

$1.00

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Debussy: Préludes - Book 2

Work length37:18

$12.00

$15.00

Steven Osborne (piano)

I. Brouillards: Modéré

Track length3:15

$1.00

$1.25

II. Feuilles mortes: Lent et mélancolique

Track length2:41

$1.00

$1.25

III. La Puerta del Vino: Mouvement de Habanera

Track length3:38

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IV. Les fées sont d'exquises danseuses: Rapide et léger

Track length2:42

$1.00

$1.25

V. Bruyères: Calme

Track length2:42

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VI. 'General Lavine'—excentric: Dans le style et le mouvement d'un Cake-Walk

Track length2:43

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VII. La terrasse des audiences du clair de lune: Lent

Track length4:22

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VIII. Ondine: Scherzando

Track length2:58

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IX. Hommage à S Pickwick Esq PPMPC: Grave

Track length2:10

$1.00

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X. Canope: Très calme et doucement triste

Track length2:55

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XI. Les tierces alternées: Modérément animé

Track length2:23

$1.00

$1.25

XII. Feux d'artifice: Modérément animé

Track length4:49

$1.00

$1.25

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Steven Osborne has already made a name for himself in French music with a disc of Alkan and a profoundly moving performance of Messiaens Vingt Regards. Here he reaches between those two to tackle one of the pinnacles of the piano repertoireDebussys two books of Preludes. These works have been central to Stevens repertoire for many years and he brings them to the studio after many public performances and much reflection. He has worked from the most up-to-date Urtext edition which clarifies Debussys thought in many places, particularly with regard to tempo relationships within La cathedrale engloutie and a missing bar in Les tierces alternees. In a crowded field Osborne need fear no comparisons: the pianism is exquisite and the interpretations are of a rare depth and subtletya recording to rival the very best!

Reviews

August 2006

Steven Osborne's pedigree in French repertoire is such that it has been almost inevitable that he would record Debussy's Préludes at some point. He has much in his favour, notably a marvellous range of colour, finely judged touch, and the ability to combine powerful waves of sound with diaphanous passagework while Hyperion have not lost their ability to capture a piano in full, natural sound.

18th December 2006

Osborne achieves little miracles of colour and control...The recording respects Steven Osborne as much as he does the composer; the pianist provides the colour, the resonance, the glowing halo of sound, and the recording delivers it with great clarity and honesty...Strongly, indeed, urgently recommended.

2010

Steven Osborne tells us that in preparing this recording he was struck 'by the enormous scope of these preludes. What other collection of pieces manages to create so many utterly distinct and compelling worlds?' But he has prepared well, and every prelude glows, always rich in atmosphere.
The opening 'Danseuses de Delphes' has a commandingly grave serenity and 'Voiles' floats effortlessly. Yet 'Les collines d'Anacapri' dances with sparkling rhythmic vitality and 'La danse de Puck' is deliciously capricious.
Osborne's delicacy of feeling (and texture) is at its most magical in the soft footfalls 'sur la neige', although 'Feuilles mortes' has similar moments of evocative quietness. The unpredictability of 'Le vent dans la plaine' is matched by the simulated violence of 'Ce qu'a vu le vent d'Ouest', and the thrilling climax of 'La cathédrale engloutie' has rich depth and sonority. By contrast, 'La fille aux cheveux de lin' has a ravishing simplicity, without sentimentalising.
'S Pickwick' brings a momentary smile but his eccentricity is banished by the calm of 'Canope' and the joyful virtuosity of 'Les tièrces alternées'.
Osborne's virtuosity is never for its own sake and always reflects the music's spirit. The obvious comparison is with Zimerman's stunningly vivid recording; but his extraordinarily brilliant playing is at times almost over-projected and Osborne's natural spontaneity and powerful conveying of inner feeling is every bit as telling – less intense but deeply satisfying. The Hyperion recording is very realistic.

October 2006

…Osborne has prepared well, and every prelude glows, always rich in atmosphere. Osborne's delicacy of feeling (and texture) is at its most magical in the soft footfalls "sur la neige" although "Feuilles mortes" has similar moments of evocative quietness. The unpredictability of "Le vent dans la plaine" is matched by the stimulated violence of "Ce qu'a vu le vent d'Ouest", and the thrilling climax of "La cathédrale engloutie" has rich depth and sonority.

Debussy: Préludes - Books 1 & 2

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