Pollini - Debussy - Préludes II; En Blanc et Noir review

The Guardian 80

(Deutsche Grammophon)

Also reviewed: Debussy recordings by Daniel Barenboim and Stephen Hough

It has taken Maurizio Pollini almost 20 years to complete his survey of Debussy’s Préludes – his recording of the first book appeared in 1999. In that time, his recital appearances may have become more and more uneven, but the standard of his recordings has generally remained high, if, perhaps understandably, never quite recapturing the energy and brilliance of those made at the beginning of his career.

Related: Debussy: one of the most original of 'moderns' - from the archive, February 1908