Debussy: Complete Chamber Music
Almost a century has passed since the premieres ofPelleas et MelisandeandLa mer, and Debussy's place as one of the greatest and most original composers in history is fully assured. Even so, the arrival of this extraordinarily fine complete survey of his chamber music, from the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, is cause for celebration because it glorifies a part of his output that is too often overlooked. The works are nicely grouped on three CDs: the late (and great) works for mixed forces on disc one; the early works (including the String Quartet in G minor) on disc two; and the two-piano works (some early, some late) on disc three. The renditions, recorded between 1995 and 1999 in various venues in New York and Los Angeles, are excellent across the board, with wonderful work from clarinetist David Shifrin, the Society's artistic director, as well as regulars Ransom Wilson, Nancy Allen, Paul Neubauer, Anne-Marie McDermott, and Ani Kavafian. The legendary Lee Luvisi joins McDermott in the music for piano duet, and André Watts delivers a star turn as pianist in thePetite pieceandPremiere rhapsodiefor clarinet and piano. Among the highlights are a soulful Sonata for Flute, Viola, and Harp, and a marvelous realization of the Quartet in G minor from the Orion String Quartet. Delos provides outstanding recorded sound and makes this generous compilation available at less than $10 per disc.--Ted Libbey