Debussy

Stravinsky: Petrouchka & Debussy: Jeux, Poème Dansé (Decca)

A fine follow-up to Klaus Mäkelä’s previous Stravinsky disc [JQ]

Barchet: Chamber Works (Hänssler Classic)

(Déjà Review) Full marks to Hänssler for giving enduring life to this most attractive and expert craftsman [JW]

Mischa Elman (violin): The Complete RCA Victor Recordings (Biddulph)

An Elman discographic lacuna is put right; fine transfers too [JW]

Ruby Hughes (soprano): End of My Days (BIS)

An outstanding recital; elegantly conceived, ideally recorded and beautifully performed [RHa]

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Sandrine Piau (soprano) Reflet (Alpha Classics)

An attractive programme of French orchestral songs that will provide much enjoyment, but there are better versions of the well-known songs [PT]

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Path to the Moon Works for cello & piano (Chandos)

Three sonatas and a raft of transcribed songs offer fruitful material for the Chandos pairing [JW]

Hues and Shades (recital) (Orchid Classics)

A sophisticated delight, full of subtle musicianship and expertly recorded [GPu]

Artur Rodziński (conductor): The Complete Columbia Album Collection (Sony Classical)

Sony’s second Rodziński box fills a significant gap from his Cleveland years [JH]

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Claudio Arrau (piano) The Early Years (Marston)

(Déjà Review) No Arrau admirer would want to be without it [JW]

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Mer(s) (Appassionato)

Well-played performances hampered by a claustrophobic recording [NB]

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Phases (Musica Solis)

Impeccably performed easy-listening entertainment in the best sense of those words, but the playing time could have been more generous [GF]

Debussy Dutilleux Ravel SQs Belcea EMI CDZ5740202

Belcea Quartet – Debussy, Dutilleux and Ravel (Warner Classics)

(Déjà Review) This disc represents the flowering of talent of an ensemble that, if they continue on their present well-chosen path, will achieve great things [CC]

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Andrea Bacchetti (piano): In Concert (Monarda Music)

More than just a souvenir of a fine recital [DC]

Debussy: Études (Hyperion)

Performances with technical agility and remarkable interpretative skills [JF]

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Poulenc, Milhaud, Debussy: Music for two pianos (Orchid Classics)

Great music, wonderfully played, in perfect recording [GPJ]

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Irrberge (Dux)

An interesting concept, though how much this really adds to the performances, I am not sure [MBu]

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Déjà-rêvé – Dialogues across time (Audite)

Klavierduo Neeb debuts in attractive disc of two-piano works, with an assist from percussion friends [JH]

Debussy: C’est l’extase, La mer (Alpha Classics)

The orchestrated Verlaine songs are delightful, La mer merely decent [SB]

Estrellita (Orchid Classics)

The album works equally well for close listening and as agreeable background music late at night [GF]

Debussy: Night in Granada (Cala)

(Déjà Review) An important addition to the Debussy discography [IL]

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Works for Cello & Piano (LAWO Classics)

An attractive programme, expertly performed [RWe]

Espana Argenta Decca 4663782

Ataúlfo Argenta (conductor) (Decca)

Two LPs’ worth of Argenta’s legendary performances in classic Decca sound [PSe]

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Ek-Stasis (Divine Art)

A splendid exploration of music set against the background of Classical mythology [JF]

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Kathleen Long (piano) The Decca Solo Recordings 1941-1945 (APR)

A well deserved release for this supremely gifted but neglected pianist [RCh]