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Friday 26 August 2011

Debussy · Complete Works for Solo Piano Volume 2

“If anything, Jean-Efflam Bavouzet surpasses the high standards he set in his previous Debussy release… with this second instalment. …he focuses upon clarity of textures, rhythmic precision, well differentiated articulation, plus scrupulous balances between the hands and within chords.” -- Gramophone

This second volume of Jean-Efflam Bavouzet’s Debussy cycle reveals the intelligence of his programming. A trio of three-movement works is at its heart, but the disc opens and closes with two further triptychs, pseudo-cycles of contemporaneous pieces usually heard in isolation. Bavouzet’s strengths are also to the fore, with glowing colours in the opening Ballade and Valse romantique followed by sparkling elegance in the Danse. -- BBC Music Magazine

Infectious performances of well-written and entertaining music.

Francesco Mancini is one of the representatives of the Neapolitan school of the first half of the 18th century, although one of the lesser-known, in comparison to the likes of Pergolesi or Porpora. He studied the organ at the Conservatorio di S Maria della Pietà dei Turchini, and then acted as organist. In 1704 he became organist of the royal chapel and in 1708 vice maestro di cappella under Alessandro Scarlatti, whom he succeeded in 1725. In 1720 he was also appointed director of the Conservatorio di S Maria di Loreto.

Skip Sempé’s Capriccio Stravagante Renaissance Orchestra is the largest and most luxurious ensemble yet assembled for the performance of masterpieces from this Golden Age of musical creativity, with Renaissance violins, viols, recorders and sackbuts.

“He clearly has qualms about the emotional involvement he brings to Chopin's miniatures, executing an evocative transformation from languid self-absorption to high drama in the 'Ballade no. 1 op. 23', and navigating the turbulent, oceanic depths of the 'Fantaisie op. 49'.” -- The Independent ****

“memorably refined and stylish performances...Here, as so often with Tharaud, there is an aristocratic balance of sense and sensibility, though his brilliant fury in the Second Ballade's Presto storm is breathtaking” -- Gramophone

French Symphonic Poems

Paul Dukas, Camille Saint-Saens, Cesar Franck, Henri Duparc, Sylvio Lazzari

EMI France and Michel Plasson have created many recordings of major works of French composers, some never recorded before. Many have since received the highest distinctions worldwide. Although Plasson has long term commitments with the Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse, he has also regularly conducted the world's leading orchestras.

'A disc of pure delight from beginning to end. Another example of why Hyperion gets my vote as the most innovative record label. Full marks!' --Which CD

“Jean-Efflam Bavouzet has a wonderfully light touch, imbuing 'Les collines d'Anacapri' with a skittish exuberance, or creating delicate wisps of mist in 'Brouillards' evoking Debussy's advice to forget that the piano has hammers. The opening of 'La terrasse des audiences au clair de lune' floats languorously, captured in marvellous sound, with warm bass textures and clarity without harshness in the piano's upper registers.” -- BBC Music Magzaine ****