APR Asu: CD-levy Vuosi: 2019, 05.07.2019 Kieli: und
Gramophone Magazine
September 2019
Reissue/Archive of the Month
Jean Doyen (piano)
Chopin: Variations on ‘Là ci darem la mano’ from Mozart’s Don Giovanni in B flat major, Op. 2
Chopin: Ballade No. 1 in G minor, Op. 23
Chopin: Ballade No. 2 in F major, Op. 38
Chopin: Ballade No. 3 in A flat major, Op. 47
Chopin: Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52
Chopin: Waltz No. 6 in D flat major ‘Minute’, Op. 64 No. 1
Chopin: Waltz No. 11 in G flat major, Op. 70 No. 1
Liszt: Études de concert – Trois caprices poétiques S144Liszt: Konzertetüden, S145
Chabrier: España (arr. piano solo)Chabrier: Bourrée Fantasque
Saint-Saëns: Valse-Caprice for piano and strings ‘Wedding Cake’, Op. 76
Fauré: Barcarolle No. 2 in G major Op. 41
Fauré: Nocturne No. 6 in D flat major, Op. 63
Debussy: Images Book 1, L105
Ravel: Gaspard de la nuit
Jean Doyen is perhaps the archetypal French pianist. Taught by Louis Diemer and Marguerite Long, he went on to become the second longest serving piano professor in the Paris Conservatoire’s history and largely dedicated his career to his homeland. In addition, his repertoire centered on the French classics, with Chopin also taking pride of place. His early recordings reveal a spectacular technique coupled with generous musicality and expression – it’s no wonder he was chosen for this premiere recording of Ravel’s ‘Gaspard de la nuit’. His Chopin Op 2 Variations and the complete Book 1 of Debussy’s Images are also recording firsts, but for sheer virtuoso exhilaration, his rare Sonabel album of Chabrier’s Espana is hard to beat. Surprisingly, none of these marvelous performances have previously been reissued.
"I hadn't dreamed that he had been the first ever to record Gaspard...Unsurprisingly the sound is monochrome by modern standards, but that may be as much to do with the instrument used; and once you're attuned to Doyen's flamboyant but super-agile manner, you may find this more satisfying than many a more exhibitionist modern account." - Gramophone Magazine, September 2019.
