Gieseking/Long - Arabesque #2 (Debussy)

Two versions of the same piece. Debussy's Arabesque No. 2. The first is by Marguerite Long (1874-1966) recorded for Columbia around 1931 (a blue wax pressing). The other is by Walter Gieseking (1895-1956), also for Columbia in 1937. See notes for my earlier Gieseking posting. Long was France's most famous pianist of her era. A rather difficult person but who had close relationships with many French composers including Ravel and Faure who dedicated pieces to her. She was well known as a teacher in her later years. Very different performances. Gieseking more powerful with his great articulation; Long more languid but both with that wonderful pre-War Romantic style not looked on favorably today. I also have Gieseking's 1928 Homokord recording of the same piece which is closer in time to Long's but the sound is not good. I believe that another posting on YT uses that 1928 version.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Debussy
• Gieseking
• Marguerite
• Long
• Columbia

[Perktube1]

wow, nice record player there. What brand is it?

[uhartchristian]

the first time I hear Marguerite Long. Only knew her name. Thanks for this discovery.... She must have been a great teacher and pianist. These recordings gives us the proof....

[AulicExclusiva]

How wonderful the Long, romantic, elegant, completely unsentimental.

Gieseking is slightly more mysterious, more chimeric, with a rare light all its own. That pedal!

What players!

[OrnishMathe]

I read an article on Lazare-Levy last night in which it was mentioned that Long played with curved fingers more often than not. Correct? ANY performance by Long is valuable - she knew so many of the great composers and worked on their pieces with them. These recordings sound amazingly good. My preference is for the Long interpretation.

[marcussalieri]

jeu sec mais bon. vive marguerite long

[kspm01]

Fascinating to hear two opposite interpretations!

[transformingArt]

a Nice comparison you have done! Thanks for posting!