{"product_id":"firkusny-plays-debussy-1956-1958-pakm095","title":"FIRKUŠNÝ plays Debussy (1956, 1958) - PAKM095","description":"overviewfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 18px;\"\u003eDEBUSSY\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 18px;\"\u003eDeux Arabesques\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 18px;\"\u003eSuite Bergamasque\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 18px;\"\u003eChildren's Corner\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 18px;\"\u003eEstampes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12px;\"\u003eStudio recordings, 1956 \u0026amp; 1958\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12px;\"\u003eTotal duration: 65:22\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 16px;\"\u003eRudolf Firkušný\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 16px;\"\u003e, piano\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9review_titlefb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fMusicWeb International Review578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9review_quotefb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fThis release should play a major role578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9review_bodyfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f\u003cp\u003eRudolf Firkušný (1912-1994) studied with Cortot and Schnabel, and was a protégé of Janáček, of whom he said: “It was not piano but music I studied with him.” In 1939, he fled to Paris and then New York. He became an American citizen.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFirkušný’s extensive discography includes Mozart, Beethoven, Schumann, Brahms, Dvořák, Debussy, Janáček, Mussorgsky, Barber and Martinů. With such breadth of taste and repertoire, he may be regarded as not a specialist in any area: an all-rounder with no distinctive voice or special affinity with composers or periods. This would be a sad mistake. If one is as fine a musician as Firkušný, “all-rounder” can only be a compliment.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom the opening Prélude of Suite Bergamasque , I am struck by the musical intelligence, the unfussy artistry. Clair de lune , played without languor or sentimentality, observes the tempo marking of Andante très espressif. If we take the successive movements of Children’s Corner , we hear delicacy, lucidity, naturalness, subtlety, undemonstrative musicianship, then ruggedness in Golliwog’s Cakewalk .\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the first of the Arabesques , Firkušný plays the opening bars with fluidity and grace. I cannot remember feeling the same “breath of fresh air” quality in other performances. One might wish for a more overwhelming climax in La cathédrale engloutie , but this is a richly satisfying performance.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFirkušný’s keyboard artistry makes one forget technical aspects. One simply appreciates the seemingly effortless and quietly authoritative relationship with the instrument. All performances on this valuable disc are rewarding, all distinguished by that “to live with” quality which invites repeated listening. Why, then, do I feel that Firkušný is generally overlooked?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eObviously, the many pianists of today who might be described as technically dazzling will always attract more excitement seekers. Those who prefer Michelangeli’s steely magnificence cannot be scorned. But, as with any great composer, there is more than one valid approach. Without drawing attention to himself, Firkušný allows us to listen to Debussy in pure, unadorned performances free from mannerism. The Cypriot Martino Tirimo, who has recorded the complete Préludes, comes to mind as another pianist who exudes selfless authority and admirable musicianship.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn my Debussy collection I have – and would not be without – Cortot, Gieseking, Michelangeli, Tirimo, Weissenberg and Jacobs, and a few others less indispensable. Firkušný will belong in the first group.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePristine Audio have achieved their usual transformation in a fine remastering of recordings from the 1950s. I happily recommend this disc, and feel sure that it will awaken or reawaken many to the outstanding qualities of a great musician.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePhilip Borg-Wheeler\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eMusicWeb International\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9main_samplefb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fsamples\/PAKM095.mp3578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_labelfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fProducer's Note578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_typefb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fcontent578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_contentfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f\u003cp\u003e“A third pianist who has been more and more active on the recording scene is the Czech-born Rudolf Firkušný, whose latest Capitol disk is devoted to popular pieces by Debussy.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe word that comes to mind to describe Firkušný’s playing here is \"fresh.” He is poised, rhythmically alert and completely to the point. Never does he over-pedal, and never does he hold back or resort to a dubious emotional effect. There is something absolutely dewy about these clean-sounding performances and the ultra-efficient, tasteful manner in which Firkušný makes his points. The quality of recorded sound, too, is extraordinarily lifelike.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt might be well to point out that Firkušný’s Debussy is quite different from that of a great exponent like Gieseking. Gieseking was the impressionist par excellence, and he probably knew more about pedal technique than any living pianist. Firkušný eschews pedal effects and relies more upon finger work and a sparer texture. He does not achieve the color effects that Gieseking obtained, but what he does achieve adds up to some of the most natural-sounding and pianistic Debussy playing that this listener has heard in a long time.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eHarold C. Schonberg\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe New York Times\u003c\/i\u003e, 26 October, 1958\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Gieseking has cornered the market in Debussy recordings. Firkušný, a versatile and often subtle pianist, plays the \u003ci\u003eEstampes \u003c\/i\u003every attractively, with an excellent grasp of their diverse rhythms and motions, using a subdued, delicate but not dull palette. But his readings are not fired by the genius that informs Gieseking’s performance (on Columbia 33CX1137), which is compound of beauties in pedalling, touch, and inflection, and sounds far more evocative. Firkušný’s \u003ci\u003eChildren's Corner\u003c\/i\u003e Suite is slightly lacking in imaginative flair (lasting only 15½ minutes, it takes one whole side, which is pretty poor value for a 12-inch LP), Gieseking’s superlative account of the \u003ci\u003eSuite Bergamasque\u003c\/i\u003e, issued on 78s and then withdrawn, still awaits microgroove publication. Impatient people, who already have the \u003ci\u003eChildren’s Corner\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eEstampes\u003c\/i\u003e, will probably be tempted by the Decca MP, LW5278, on which Friedrich Gulda plays the Suite in a shapely way. Firkušný, like Gulda, makes the elements of claveciniste pastiche the starting-point of his interpretation, but he comes nearer than the Austrian pianist to finding the sudden romantic flecks and gleams which Gieseking realised so perfectly. He plays \u003ci\u003eClair de lune\u003c\/i\u003e very well. Admirable recording.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAndrew Porter\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Gramophone\u003c\/i\u003e, November 1957\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRudolf Firkušný made two LP sets of music by Debussy in the 1950s for Capitol. Alas despite making these recordings in 1956 and 1958, both were mono, and to modern ears sound somewhat flat and dull as a result both of this and of the microphone used at the time. These Ambient Stereo XR remasters offer significant sonic improvements to both sets of recordings, as well as correcting some wavering pitch issues which affected both releases.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eAndrew Rose\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_cover_thumbnail1_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_cover_thumbnail2_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_cover_download_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_sample1_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_sample2_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_sample3_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_sample4_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_sample5_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_sample6_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_labelfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fFull Track Listing578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_typefb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5ftrack_listing578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_contentfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 24px;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFIRKUŠNÝ \u003c\/b\u003eplays Debussy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 18px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDEBUSSY \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 18px;\"\u003eSuite Bergamasque\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1. Prélude  (3:48)\u003cbr\u003e2. Menuet  (3:39)\u003cbr\u003e3. Clair de lune  (4:37)\u003cbr\u003e4. Passepied  (3:37)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 18px;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDEBUSSY \u003c\/b\u003eEstampes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e5. Pagodes  (4:49)\u003cbr\u003e6. La soirée dans Grenade  (5:12)\u003cbr\u003e7. Jardins sous la pluie  (3:50)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 18px;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDEBUSSY \u003c\/b\u003eChildren's Corner\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e8. Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum  (2:16)\u003cbr\u003e9. Jimbo's Lullaby  (3:31)\u003cbr\u003e10. Serenade for the Doll  (2:46)\u003cbr\u003e11. The Snow Is Dancing  (2:11)\u003cbr\u003e12. The Little Shepherd  (2:16)\u003cbr\u003e13. Golliwog's Cake-walk  (2:46)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e14. \u003cspan style=\"font-size: 18px;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDEBUSSY \u003c\/b\u003eImages, livre 1 - 1. Reflets dans l'eau\u003c\/span\u003e  (4:28)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 18px;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDEBUSSY \u003c\/b\u003eDeux arabesques\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e15. 1. Andantino con moto  (3:45)\u003cbr\u003e16. 2. Allegretto scherzando  (3:14)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 18px;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDEBUSSY \u003c\/b\u003ePréludes, livre 1\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e17. 10. La cathédrale engloutie  (6:38)\u003cbr\u003e18. 12. Minstrels  (1:58)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 18px;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eRudolf Firkušný\u003c\/b\u003e, piano\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eXR remastering by Andrew Rose\u003cbr\u003eCover artwork based on a photograph of Rudolf Firkušný\u003cbr\u003eRecorded Studio A, Capitol 46th St. Studios, New York City\u003cbr\u003eTracks 1-13: 10, 11, 22 May 1956\u003cbr\u003eTracks 14-18: 23, 24, 27 January 1958\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTotal duration:  65:21\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_cover_thumbnail1_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_cover_thumbnail2_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_cover_download_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_sample1_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_sample2_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_sample3_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_sample4_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_sample5_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_sample6_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_labelfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fCover Art578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_typefb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fcover_art578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_contentfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_cover_thumbnail1_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fcovers\/thumbs\/PAKM095.jpg578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_cover_thumbnail2_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_cover_download_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fcovers\/PAKM095.pdf578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_sample1_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_sample2_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_sample3_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_sample4_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_sample5_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_sample6_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f","brand":"Pristine Classical","offers":[{"title":"Ambient Stereo 24-bit FLAC","offer_id":44064745226330,"sku":"yvh1789304180689","price":14.11,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Ambient Stereo 16-bit FLAC","offer_id":44064745259098,"sku":"ddu1789304180690","price":10.21,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"320kbps Ambient Stereo MP3","offer_id":44064745291866,"sku":"bpb1789304180691","price":7.52,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0726\/3807\/0874\/files\/firkusny-plays-debussy-1956-1958---pakm095_1.jpg?v=1789304209","url":"https:\/\/vestorawear.shop\/products\/firkusny-plays-debussy-1956-1958-pakm095","provider":"My Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}