Emil deCou

Debussy fans have cause to celebrate: this CD presents the world-premiere recordings of four fascinating works by Debussy and the first digital recording of his steamy, exotic Six Epitaphes Antiques, a series of piano duets, which were faithfully transcribed for orchestra by the fine Debussy conductor Ernest Ansermet. The "new" works--all of which were orchestrated or, in the case of Printemps--Suite Symphonique, "reconstructed" by someone else--are beauties as well. The Printemps is probably the oddest--it is for orchestra and wordless chorus, and it is alternately languorous and energized, much like spring itself. The Suite Bergamasque contains the composer's justly famous "Clair de Lune" as well as three dance movements, each lovelier than the last. The other two short pieces--"La Puerta del Vino" and "Pagodes"--contain suggestions of Spain and the Far East, respectively, and end this fascinating disc with the same type of familiarity and surprise with which it begins. Highly recommended. -- Amazon.com