Classical Aficionados: Please Suggest Debussy Solo Piano recordings


After decades of failing to discover a compelling entry point into Classical, Debussy's solo piano works have captured my interest, perhaps because I can hear a connection with Jazz piano players I enjoy. 

I've enjoyed the Arrau versions from later in the Chilean's career on Spotify. There are a  few CDs available that I plan to buy but I haven't found any CDs of the Debussy recordings he did earlier in his career. Can anyone send me a link?

Which other pianists are renowned for interpreting these works? 

And now that I think of it, another question: What are the best online sources for Classical CDs? 

 

 

 

stuartk

I think some of the finest, and current, recordings are the complete set issued individually, by Jean-Efflam Bavouzet on the Chandos label. Another set issued individually is by Noriko Ogawa on BIS. Very different from Bavouzet, more relaxed perhaps. And, one of my favorites, the 12 Etudes by Mitsuko on a Philips disc. And last, but not musically so, Debussy’s Preludes Books 1 & 2 by Paul Jacobs on the Non Such label. He also does the Etudes Books 1 & 2 and on a separate disc Images, Estampes, and Images series II.

I do not have any Arrau recordings to compare these to.

I buy from Presto in England. Stuff is priced well and often stuff is one sale. Delivery is normally 10 days, +/-. An when not available there I often buy from Amazon. As a Prime member I get shipping free for most stuff. I like Presto much more than Amazon - the have a great web site.

 

 

 

I'm still hopelessly devoted to my now ancient Philippe Entremont Columbia Masterworks LP, "Claire de Lune." Unfussy. Unforced. Effortless virtuosity. Fidelity is good enough. The pieces are played in an order that makes genuine emotional sense.

There are two reference recordings of the Etudes: Krystian Zimmerman and Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli. Both are marvelous but quite different.