Claude Debussy - Études (Mitsuko Uchida)

Information

Composer: Claude Debussy

1. Études, L 136: 1. Pour les "cinq doigts" (d'après Monsieur Czerny)
2. Études, L 136: 2. Pour les Tierces
3. Études, L 136: 3. Pour les Quartes
4. Études, L 136: 4. Pour les Sixtes
5. Études, L 136: 5. Pour les Octaves
6. Études, L 136: 6. Pour les huit doigts
7. Études, L 136: 7. Pour les Degrés chromatiques
8. Études, L 136: 8. Pour les Agréments
9. Études, L 136: 9. Pour les Notes répétées
10. Études, L 136: 10. Pour les Sonorités opposées
11. Études, L 136: 11. Pour les Arpèges composés
12. Études, L 136: 12. Pour les Accords

Mitsuko Uchida, piano
Date: 1989
Label: Philips
http://www.deccaclassics.com/us/cat/4646982

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Review

ARTISTIC QUALITY: 10 / SOUND QUALITY: 10

Uchida’s interpretations are distinguished by her ability to reconcile fastidious observation of the composer’s markings with her acute instincts for nuance and flexibility. The first etude’s burlesqued piano-practice scales are clearly articulated without ever sounding notey, while the three double-note etudes stand out for supple, ultra-secure fingerwork and ravishing tone color. Uchida’s stunning dispatch of the seventh etude, “Pour les huit doigts”, adds up to a master class on the subject of when and when not to pedal.

So does the pianist’s vividly characterized eighth etude. Here’s a case where taking interpretive liberties works to the music’s benefit. For example, Debussy wants the penultimate measures sustained. However, Uchida lifts the pedal on the second to last measure so that the final cluster makes a more surprising and humorous impact. She leans into etude eleven’s gorgeous polytextural writing for all it’s worth, and brings sweeping ferocity to the chord/octave leaps in the final etude’s outer sections. In short, Uchida’s Debussy Etudes proudly retains its status as a classic, notwithstanding subsequent and serious rivalry from Florent Bouffard (Harmonia Mundi) and Ju-Ying Song (Pro Piano). Absolutely essential! [8/22/2006]

-- Jed Distler, ClassicsToday

More reviews:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2001/Nov01/Debussy_Ushida.htm

http://www.amazon.com/Debussy-12-Etudes-Claude/dp/B00000410F

http://www.amazon.com/12-Etudes-Pour-Piano-Debussy/dp/B000051YD9

http://www.amazon.com/Etudes-Mitsuko-Uchida/dp/B000E8N7Q2

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Claude Debussy (22 August 1862 – 25 March 1918) was a French composer. Along with Maurice Ravel, he was one of the most prominent figures associated with Impressionist music. Debussy was among the most influential composers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and his use of non-traditional scales and chromaticism influenced many composers who followed. Debussy's music is noted for its sensory content and frequent usage of atonality.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude_Debussy

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Mitsuko Uchida (born 20 December 1948), is a Japanese naturalised-British classical pianist. She is an acclaimed interpreter of the works of Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, Debussy and Schoenberg. Uchida won Gramophone Awards for her recordings of Mozart's Piano Sonatas and Schoenberg's Piano Concertos (with Pierre Boulez)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsuko_Uchida

http://www.mitsukouchida.com/biography.php

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