Pure DSD

Debussy Préludes, L123, Book II [Pure DSD]

Dávid Báll

17,9930,99
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Original Recording Format: DSD 256
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Pianist Dávid Báll follows his Pure DSD 256 Stereo recording of Grosses Konzertsolo with a new Live to Pure DSD 256 Stereo recording featuring Debussy Preludes, L123, Book II. It is exclusively available at NativeDSD in its original recorded format of Pure DSD 256 Stereo, as well as Pure Stereo DSD 512, DSD 128, and DSD 64. It is not available on SACD.

David Ball says “Few of Claude Debussy’s Preludes form part of the established piano repertoire – and the first volume (published in 1910) and second volume (published in 1913) are rarely heard in their entirety. Yet the bleak, gloomy, melancholic pieces of the second volume in particular speak to me so deeply that I play them as part of my concerts quite often, and so I have chosen to record them first. Ways of performing the works of French impressionist composers vary widely, and this is especially true of the last third of the twentieth century and indeed our own time. In my view, all too often the artists’ desire for self-expression occludes that of the composer almost entirely.

Happily, recordings of luminaries such as Béla Bartók, Ernő Dohnányi, and Sergei Rachmaninoff playing their own music survive, and I have found myself going back to them because they offer much more than the opportunity to study the performing arts and recording practices of the time. For example, while Debussy’s notation is meticulous, the contrast between his restraint in pedal markings and the freedom of his performance is striking: He only asks for the use of the pedal – and for two measures only – in the first of the twelve Preludes that constitute the second volume. Of course, this relationship is endlessly complex and ultimately unfathomable, but that is not the point. Rather by examining it, we have the chance to see and hear the music afresh, challenge our assumptions, and reflect our respect for the composer’s own performance by choosing to cleave to their recording over their manuscript when there is a clear choice to be made. That is the approach I have taken in the interpretations I offer here.

The unique beauty, clarity, and infinite depth of these pieces has captivated so many generations already – and I hope that this recording of his music will continue the work that Debussy began.”


Featured in blog post Notes on Recent Finds, No. 9 – Endless Bounty from NativeDSD by music reviewer Rushton Paul.


Dávid Báll, Pianist

Tracklist

Please note that the below previews are loaded as 44.1 kHz / 16 bit.
1.
I. Brouillards
02:45
2.
II. Feuilles mortes
03:24
3.
III. La puerta del Vino
03:16
4.
IV. Les fées sont d’exquises danseuse
03:30
5.
V. Bruyères
03:01
6.
VI. General Lavine – eccentric
02:49
7.
VII. La terrasse des audiences du clair de lune
04:13
8.
VIII. Ondine
03:21
9.
IX. Hommage à S. Pickwick Esq. P. P. M. P. C.
02:32
10.
X. Canope
02:48
11.
XI. Les tierces alternées
02:45
12.
XII. Feux d’artifice
04:43

Total time: 00:39:07

Additional information

Label

SKU

HRES2309

Qualities

, , , , ,

Channels

Artists

Composers

Genres

, ,

Mastering Engineer

Tom Caulfield

Instruments

Original Recording Format

Piano Technician

Balázs Tóth

Producer

Róbert Zoltán Hunka

Recording Engineer

Tibor Lahó

Recording Location

Live Recording in Stereo Pure DSD 256 at Hunnia Records Studios on June 17, 2023

Release DateJune 30, 2023

Press reviews

Positive Feedback

‘m loving this recording. Nicely captured piano sound. Plus, Dávid Báll is just very, very good. And he is definitely the highlight of the album. His Debussy scintillates, dances, ducks and weaves, and keeps one completely engaged to explore what will be coming next. At the same time, this is not light delicate Debussy—Báll plays with a muscular power that reminds me of Ivan Moravec (a high compliment). And, yet, like Moravec, he is able to slip into the most delicate and nuanced of moments. Oh, yes, I am very definitely enjoying the playing of Dávid Báll!

Happily, I understand that Hunnia has scheduled Dávid for a recording of Debussy’s Preludes, Book I, and some Bartok. I can’t wait!

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Hunnia Records 209 albums

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