Vazsonyi and Vasary Perform Debussy/Ravel "Fêtes" from 3 Nocturnes

Balint Vazsonyi (1936-2003) and
Tamas Vasary (1933) perform:
Debussy/Ravel: "Fêtes" (anime et tres rythme) from Three Nocturnes (1899) at:
Royal Festival Hall, London
Gala Concert for International Piano Library, December 9, 1974

The piece was inspired by a series of impressionistic paintings titled Fêtes" by James McNeill Whistler (1834-1903).

Debussy wrote:
'Fêtes' gives us the vibrating, dancing rhythm of the atmosphere with sudden flashes of light. There is also the episode of the procession (a dazzling fantastic vision), which passes through the festive scene and becomes merged in it. But the background remains resistantly the same: the festival with its blending of music and luminous dust participating in the cosmic rhythm.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Fêtes
• Debussy
• Ravel
• Vasary
• Vazsonyi

[bvbwv3]

Thanks for your comments, Noshirm, and for the Lhevinne-performance introduction which is, indeed, outstanding! As to tempo, it is in the middle section where I prefer the tension-building, kind of 'held' tempo of the Vasary/Vasonyi performance. Listen to it again to see if you might agree...

[Noshirm]

The legendary recording by the Lhevinnes is the only other interpretation of this piece I've heard to date. It remains the gold standard...but Vasary and Vazsonyi turn in a delightful - though slightly less stirring - performance. This MAY have been because of Vasary's preference for slower tempi. But maybe I'm wrong?!