Rafal Blechacz plays Debussy & Szymanowski
Debussy:
- Pour le piano
- Estampes (3) (Complete)
- L’isle joyeuse
Szymanowski:
- Prelude and Fugue in C sharp minor
- Piano Sonata No. 1 in C minor, Op. 8
Performed by Rafal Blechacz, piano
Polish pianist Rafal Blechacz born on June 30, 1985, has been cited by critics as one of those rare talents that only come along every few decades. His playing is characterized by its elegance, delicacy, and a poetic beauty that has created comparisons to the legendary pianists of the early 20th century, including Krystian Zimmerman, and others.
One of the greatest Polish composer since Chopin, Szymanowski was also influenced by Ravel, Scriabin, and Strauss. For the first time on record Rafał Blechacz plays Szymanowski’s music, and it is a revelation to those unfamiliar with it.
Debussy’s Impressionist sounds including “Pour le piano” and “Estampes” are also a great fit for Mr. Blechacz with his Chopin expertise.
Here are some press comments:
“[the Szymanowski is] interpreted by Blechacz in a way that brings out its ripe personal voice and responds to its dramatic breadth of architecture…The disc is worth having for the Szymanowski alone, but Blechacz’s Debussy is also a joy of limpid colour and immaculately weighed articulation, encapsulating the character and imagery of the music with a masterly and imaginative touch.”
The Telegraph, 17th February 2012 *****
“He’s virtuosic on Debussy’s “Pour le Piano”, whisking us up and down the keyboard yet allowing pre-echoes of Gershwin to creep in to its more dramatic chordings; his “Pagodes” is weightlessly evocative. There’s an almost existential yearning about Szymanowski’s “Prelude & Fugue in C sharp minor”, while “Sonata in C minor” is complex and involving.”
The Independent, 17th February 2012 ****
The tracks on this recording are as follows:
Debussy: Pour Le Piano
1. Prélude
2. Sarabande
3. Toccata
Debussy: Estampes
1. Pagodes
2. Soirée Dans Grenade
3. Jardins Sous La Pluie
Debussy: L’Isle Joyeuse
L’Isle Joyeuse
Szymanowski: Prelude & Fugue In C Sharp Minor
Prelude
Fugue
Szymanowski: Sonata In C Minor, Op. 8
1. Allegro Moderato
2. Adagio
3. Tempo Di Minuetto
4. Finale: Introduzione
Finale: Fuga A Tre Voci
Here is Rafal Blechacz playing Debussy’s “Sarabande”
And finally, here is Rafal Blechacz presenting and talking about his new album with works by Debussy & Szymanowski.
Tags: Rafal Blechacz, Debussy, Szymanowski