Not quite sure what jansumi and gkollias meant by channeling into the composer's heart. My thoughts are (and maybe this is what j. and g. were meaning anyway): since each great composer is, in essence, channeling a higher inspiration, "great" pianists I think, when playing their best, tune into that higher vibration if you will, and manifest it (not the composers so much as their inspirational Source) - bringing it to life once again.
Jansumi is right. Maybe what Richter meant by saying that he only read the score was that by reading the score he channeled into the heart of each composer. Then comes his genius and prior unconcious knowledge of how it should be played.
Never have i heard such a moving performance by richter, not in Prague Hungary Kiev Carnegie nowhere. This was also the first piece I heard of Richters, and it moved me beyond tears!
Do you mean understand when trying to play? Or when listening? Because there are many more modern composers of which I think they are a lot more difficult to listen to ;)
@cldbsy That an interesting point, because I've always found Debussy one of the least difficult of the more "modern" composers, or any composer for that matter to listen to.
It's interesting that both above comments mention Richter's interpretation is slower than they would like, because, to me, his slower tempo much more accurately captures the piece's spiritual tranquility. While Gieseking was, and has remained, my favorite 'impressionist' player (heard him play Debussy oh so long ago), occasionally another pianist is more to my liking in a certain work. Seems there was an even longer recorded performance of Richter in the Pagodes which I recall was greater yet.
That's some insightful stuff. I like Hip-Hop and House and Techno mostly, but something about Debussy's work just appeals to me. Dunno why really, I'm an 18 year old kid that gets drunk, does sport and listens to totally different music.
You might have a certain kind of sensibility for impressionist music. If you really are into Hip-Hop, House and Techno, then there is a piece of Debussy for you in these genres. Look for the Art of Noise album, The Seduction of Claude Debussy.
I must say that having compared the two masters' renditions of Debussy quite a bit, in the Estampes with me it's never one or the other, each stands completely on its own and captures different facets of the music. Each has chosen his own tempo for a very good reason!
(unlike in L'isle joyeuse or Suite Bergamasque where no one, I feel, could equal Richter's efforts, or in Hommage a Rameau and some of the etudes where it is Gieseking's renditions that I keep coming back to)
I'm going to agree with you here - the uniqueness of an artist's prerogative is so important to uphold, especially in this digital age. Richter plays everything so deliciously, i really enjoy his tempo on Pagodes as it allows us to relish the overlapping tones and overtones in the piano...
this is a bit slow but it really grew on me debussy is one of my all time favorite composers and a joy to listen to while doing homework among other things. and this peice is also played very well
Thom brought me here! was looking through old Dead Air Space posts :D
daggerheart03 1 month ago
Not quite sure what jansumi and gkollias meant by channeling into the composer's heart. My thoughts are (and maybe this is what j. and g. were meaning anyway): since each great composer is, in essence, channeling a higher inspiration, "great" pianists I think, when playing their best, tune into that higher vibration if you will, and manifest it (not the composers so much as their inspirational Source) - bringing it to life once again.
palmerplantagenet 2 months ago
Jansumi is right. Maybe what Richter meant by saying that he only read the score was that by reading the score he channeled into the heart of each composer. Then comes his genius and prior unconcious knowledge of how it should be played.
gkollias14 3 months ago
@gkollias14
Bravo!
One of the most intelligent comments on this complicated topic... Thank you!
truecrypt 3 months ago
I think Richter simply channeled the heart of every composer he connected with. He embodied them. True genius.
jansumi 4 months ago
The ultimate in tonal control and line. Who cares if it's "slow"er than they're used to hearing in this piece?!
Ravelcontext 5 months ago
Let me rephrase that: Never have I heard anything like this in all music and art.
awesomekapownoises23 6 months ago
Never have i heard such a moving performance by richter, not in Prague Hungary Kiev Carnegie nowhere. This was also the first piece I heard of Richters, and it moved me beyond tears!
awesomekapownoises23 6 months ago
Yeah, the man had the guts to take his time. He was that good.
EphemeronRadiance 8 months ago
Comment removed
loofascraper 9 months ago
Heard a Japanese friend of mine play this at her Graduate Recital. Now I can't stop listening to this piece.
robertekew 1 year ago
Genius.
lextune 1 year ago
Oh man. That was actually... exactly what I needed.
WhatWeHave 1 year ago
Of all composers, I think Debussy is the one I find most difficult to understand. Must listen to more music. Must read more scores
Robotman42 1 year ago
@Robotman42 I think part of the tenet/appeal of impressionism is that it's both difficult to apply and to grasp.
thequantumcollapse 1 year ago
@Robotman42
Do you mean understand when trying to play? Or when listening? Because there are many more modern composers of which I think they are a lot more difficult to listen to ;)
cldbsy 11 months ago
@cldbsy That an interesting point, because I've always found Debussy one of the least difficult of the more "modern" composers, or any composer for that matter to listen to.
mightyafrowhitey 6 months ago in playlist Claude Debussy
long live debussy
MegaSpaghett 1 year ago 2
At this pace, you can hear the Javanese gamelan influences much more clearly than at stupid faster tempos.
cactusleaf 1 year ago 11
Wow! This is a powerful piece. Really the first Debussy to ever make the hair on my arms stand up. Absolutely beautiful! Thank you for uploading!
simplestargazer 2 years ago
@simplestargazer :
Try the Gieseking (1936) as well.
alextierno98 2 years ago
mesmerizing
JokerTDNer 2 years ago
It clearly influenced Tom Jobim's "Pela Luz dos Olhos Teus". I believe Debussy to be his major influence.
chicovas 2 years ago
Quels enchevêtrements harmoniques parfaitement contrôlés !
Du grand art !
C'est extraordinaire de maîtrise sonore et digitale !
PhilippeLouis69There 2 years ago
soothing
ecko1o1 3 years ago
Where did you find this recording?
rouroken 3 years ago
. . . . . . . . . very nice . . . . . . . . . .
werq34ac 3 years ago 2
It's interesting that both above comments mention Richter's interpretation is slower than they would like, because, to me, his slower tempo much more accurately captures the piece's spiritual tranquility. While Gieseking was, and has remained, my favorite 'impressionist' player (heard him play Debussy oh so long ago), occasionally another pianist is more to my liking in a certain work. Seems there was an even longer recorded performance of Richter in the Pagodes which I recall was greater yet.
palmerplantagenet 3 years ago 27
That's some insightful stuff. I like Hip-Hop and House and Techno mostly, but something about Debussy's work just appeals to me. Dunno why really, I'm an 18 year old kid that gets drunk, does sport and listens to totally different music.
robbiemo10 3 years ago 2
You might have a certain kind of sensibility for impressionist music. If you really are into Hip-Hop, House and Techno, then there is a piece of Debussy for you in these genres. Look for the Art of Noise album, The Seduction of Claude Debussy.
egiptianh123 2 years ago 3
I agree, the majority of the versions that I have heared are quicker, but this tempo in my opinion is perfect
rafaelito1981 2 years ago 2
I must say that having compared the two masters' renditions of Debussy quite a bit, in the Estampes with me it's never one or the other, each stands completely on its own and captures different facets of the music. Each has chosen his own tempo for a very good reason!
(unlike in L'isle joyeuse or Suite Bergamasque where no one, I feel, could equal Richter's efforts, or in Hommage a Rameau and some of the etudes where it is Gieseking's renditions that I keep coming back to)
punkpoetry 2 years ago 3
I'm going to agree with you here - the uniqueness of an artist's prerogative is so important to uphold, especially in this digital age. Richter plays everything so deliciously, i really enjoy his tempo on Pagodes as it allows us to relish the overlapping tones and overtones in the piano...
babyfreshpony 2 years ago
right on
waywardhighfive 2 years ago
this is a bit slow but it really grew on me debussy is one of my all time favorite composers and a joy to listen to while doing homework among other things. and this peice is also played very well
jigglypuff3 3 years ago
A bit slow for my tastes, but still beautifully played.
georgecziffra 3 years ago 4