Debussy - Images

The Guardian 80

Seong-Jin Cho
(Deutsche Grammophon)

Seong-Jin Cho made his name with Chopin. Now he brings his understated, coiled-spring pianism to Debussy, and his playing is riveting as ever. Cho studied in Paris, where he immersed himself in impressionist art, and indeed what comes across strongly here is how he makes each of these little pieces into a complete canvas: every adjustment of speed or volume finely weighted to keep the whole in balance. Yet there’s no sense he’s overthinking things. In the Suite Bergamasque, quasi-classical lines dance out of the smudgier surrounding textures; Clair de Lune sounds freshly thought of. Children’s Corner is as smilingly serious as it should be, and Mouvement, from the first book of Images, bubbles with expectation. He finishes with L’Isle Joyeuse, and although this is one piece in which more dazzlement sooner might have paid off, his transparent, ultimately exuberant performance is very rewarding.