Debussy: The Complete Preludes

"Deeply satisfyng, glowing Préludes from this fine British pianist..A good recording of the Debussy Préludes should feel like an occasion, and Steven Osborne delivers. His playing seeps with atmosphere and he delves deep into the composer's sound world. There is throughout the sense of going on a journey, even awe, to Osborne's interpretations. Beautifully recorded, this is total-immersion Debussy."
(Editor's Choice Gramophone October 2006)

Steven Osborne has already made a name for himself in French music with a disc of Alkan and a profoundly moving performance of Messiaen's Vingt Regards. Here he reaches between those two to tackle one of the pinnacles of the piano repertoire - Debussy's two books of Préludes. These works have been central to Steven's repertoire for many years and he brings them to the studio after many public performances and much reflection. He has worked from the most up-todate Urtext edition which clarifies Debussy's thought in many places, particularly with regard to tempo relationships within La cathédrale engloutie and a missing bar in Les tierces alternées. In a crowded field Osborne need fear no comparisons: the pianism is exquisite and the interpretations are of a rare depth and subtlety - a recording to rival the very best!