Debussy Complete Works for Piano, Vol 4

Jean-Efflam Bavouzet

Chandos CHAN10497

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The culmination of Jean-Efflam Bavouzet’s complete Debussy piano music cycle is a triumphant success. Dedicated to the Etudes and Images, the recording boasts “ravishing colour shadings and articulations”, according to Jed Distler writing in December 2008, and achieves highs of technical virtuosity while preserving the works’ imaginative qualities in “emotionally generous” performances. Bavouzet was narrowly beaten to the Instrumental Award last year for Volume 2 of his Debussy series by Paul Lewis’s Record of the Year-winning Beethoven piano sonatas. This year, he rightly takes the Award – as much in recognition of the cycle as a whole as of this excellent recording.