Search - Debussy, Tortelier, Ulster Orchestra :: Fantaisie

Worth Buying for the Fantaisie for Piano and Orchestra

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 02/12/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Anne Queffelec is a gossamer impressionistic pianist who understands these works by Debussy. While the entire CD is worth having for the variety it contains in works for orchestra and instruments (here are Debussy's "concerti" for Piano, Harp, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone) as well as the better known works for solo piano, the primary reason to add this CD to your collection is a performance of the rarely heard, exquisitely beautiful Fantaisie for Piano and Orchestra. Queffelec has recorded it once before but this one is preferable because of the setting (her other recording includes the two Ravel Piano Concerti).



Debussy did not write the conventional concerto here, but rather used the piano to embellish the overall tonality of this piece so influenced by his preoccupation with Asian music. Here he uses the pentatonic scale based on the Javanese madenda scale and in the language of this French master the result is an exotic conversation between piano and orchestra. The piece is short and in three movements, though the last two flow into one another. This is not a bravura work, but in Queffelec's hands it is wistfully romantic and a very lovely performance.



Would that other pianists would record this ignored work. A recent performance by Emanuel Ax with the LA Phil was a moment of rare beauty that deserves capturing for the world audience. Grady Harp, February 2005"

No. 1 Debussy (Chandos)

Guillermo Larin Moran | Miami, Florida United States | 04/10/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"High expression of French Impressionism."