1.01. L’Isle joyeuse [5’02]
1.02. – 1.04. Estampes [14’49]
1.05. D’un cahier d’esquisses [4’39]
1.06. – 1.08. Images for piano. Book 1 [15’05]
1.09. Hommage à Haydn [1’52]
1.10. – 1.12. Images for piano. Book 2 [13’09]
1.13. La plus que lente [4’07]
1.14. Page d’album [1’10]
1.15. – 1.20. Children’s Corner [17’13]
2.01. – 2.04. Suite bergamasque [18’18]
2.05. – 2.10. 12 Études for piano. Book 1 [19’26]
2.11. – 2.13. Images oubliées [13’47]
2.14. – 2.19. 12 Études for piano. Book 2 [25’28]
Roger Woodward- piano
ABC Classics 4721702 [recorded April 1995 (disc one) and February 1997 (disc two); digital download released 2007]
[digital download; flacs, cover and back scans, now with booklet]
Recording venue: Eugene Goossens Hall, ABC Ultimo Centre, Sydney
Recording engineer: Allan MacLean; Producer: Ralph Lane
The Australian concert pianist, Roger Woodward, is probably most commonly associated with contemporary and avant-garde music. But he is also an outstanding interpreter of more mainstream repertoire. This twofer contains splendid performances of most of Debussy's major piano works - all excepting the two books of Preludes, and the suite, Pour le Piano. [In 2007, Woodward had already recorded the complete preludes for the Celestial Harmonies label.]
The only misjudgement to my taste is the first track, L’Isle joyeuse, which seems rather rushed - but don't be put off if you share this view as everything else is immaculately judged. Woodward displays exemplary regard for the composer's texts. His touch is delicate, mystic, serene or intensely expressive as required by the music. In the demanding books of Etudes, Woodward's playing has clarity of expressive purpose, well-controlled texture and above all, love for Debussy's music.
And add the excellent recording of the piano made in ABC's Sydney studios.