Music in time of war

"Another masterpiece from Debussy's final years, the piano Études, used to be a rarity on disc ... but new versions appear quite regularly. The latest is by Joseph Moog, who pairs the 12 pieces with Ravel's Gaspard de la Nuit. The young German pianist has all the technique necessary to meet the deceptive challenges of the studies, but he overemphasises the virtuoso element".

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"For the German pianist Joseph Moog this is his first foray on disc into the composer's music, and the pairing of the 12 Études with Ravel's Gaspard de la nuit seems apposite as both creations were composed under the gaze and in the spirit of Franz Liszt ... [In] Debussy's Twelve Études ... he is blessed with a sympathetic acoustic which highlights every nuance, and a responsive piano. Added to that, he has the technical mastery to confront the formidable challenges these works throw at the performer ... This authoritative account of Ravel's Gaspard de la Nuit stands side by side with the very best versions I know ... I have thoroughly enjoyed Joseph Moog's latest offering. The combination of superb interpretations and unbeatable sound is a winning formula ... A worthy tribute for the Debussy centenary".

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"These Études require careful listening. They are not the kind of music that you put on to nap to, in spite of the fact that a couple of the works are indeed the expected dreamscapes. But the effort pays off, as you find in this music the essence of Debussy's art as both a pianist and a compose".

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"Debussy's Études are not nearly as popular as Préludes or Images. There is a belief that they are dry, academic, and devoid of independent artistic worth. This recording puts the misapprehension to rest ... Steven Osborne's performance here gives a definite sense that these late piano pieces are artful rather than just academic. There is a perfect fusion of technical prowess and artistic subtlety ... Steven Osborne brings technical agility and remarkable interpretative skills to these performances. They are replete with magic, great beauty and a sympathetic understanding. This is complimented by a vibrant recording".

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"Recommended: Released towards the end of Debussy's anniversary year, this final release in Harmonia Mundi's Anniversary Edition celebrates the centenary of the composer's death in 1918. As with all of their releases in this series this is an attractive and valuable edition ... This is an excellent recording, especially of the Second Book ... The other work presented on this disc is Olivier Messiaen's homage to Debussy ... a strong work, one which could be by no other hand than Messiaen's, and Muraro must be thanked for bringing these sketches together and presenting us with a performing version of this wonderful music ... This is a disc which can be recommended both for the Debussy and the Messiaen; no fan of either will want to be without it".

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"Nat og dag, lys og mørke, gråd og latter, det er der, det hele, og man undres over klaverets muligheder, og pianistindens forståelse herfor".

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"Moog's remarkable keyboard prowess and great gift for colouristic refinement certainly lend themselves to this repertoire, notwithstanding strong catalogue competition ... He imbues Ravel's 'Ondine' with marvellous textural control throughout, even when playing full-out at the climax ... 'Scarbo' is the prize here. Moog's effortless mastery may not tap into the dark or demonic currents served up by Ivo Pogorelich or Benjamin Grosvenor, yet his nimble, playful and scintillating reading is on the highest level".

"Recording of the month - Editor's choice: Time and again there were details that tickled the ear with their freshness, revealing as if for the first time the anarchic brilliance of Debussy's vision ... The sheer imagination that Osborne brings to successive études means that each one very much inhabits its own world ... Uchida has reigned supreme in this repertoire for more than three decades; now, though, I think Osborne can take the crown. It all feels entirely personal".

"Momo Kodama's follow-up for the label aims to bridge cross-cultural influences between East and West, in Debussy's 12 Études and six by Toshio Hosokawa ... Kodama lavishes plenty of sensitivity and scrupulous detail upon Hosokawa's Études, probably more than these skilful yet derivative works warrant ... Kodama's readings of Debussy's far more musically substantial and complex Études face strong competition ... However, Kodama's understated yet fluent traversal of No 10 lets this music's overlooked emotional depth speak for itself".

"For the most part, Roger Muraro's attention to detail puts a fresh spin on Debussy's Études ... Muraro's slower tempo gives Debussy's dynamic hairpins and articulation markings their due ... Muraro's assured and fervent immersion in Messiaen's idiom is not a surprise, given his long and distinctive history with the composer's keyboard output in concert and on disc. In sum ... much stimulating listening, reservations notwithstanding".

"This recording originated in Kirill Gerstein's pandemic study of Debussy's 'Études', but it's also grounded in his recognition that we are 'surrounded by war and genocide' ... The inspired programming - supported by a richly illustrated book ... - raises the emotional stakes ... Throughout this ear-opening experience, Gerstein offers his expected interpretative virtues: his gorgeous tone, his artful rubato (listen to the poignant longing in 'Pour les tierces'), his unfailing virtuosity ... He has chosen sympathetic partners, too ... Spacious engineering only adds to the pleasures of a significant release".