Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli Debussy: Preludes; Chopin: Mazurkas; Scarlatti: Sonatas (2007/1965&1978)

Before the review proper, a few caveats are in order. First, half of this disc was filmed in stark and slightly grainy black and white. Second, the sound for those black and white performances is hard and a bit glassy in loud passages. But, if viewers/listeners can get past those limitations, or even if they'd just prefer to skip ahead to the full color, stereo sound second half of the program, this disc dedicated to the great Italian pianist Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli will be a marvel and a wonder. The first half includes two Scarlatti sonatas (the C minor Kk. 11 and the C major Kk. 159), two Chopin mazurkas (the G sharp minor Op. 33/1 and the B minor Op. 33/4), and one piece from Debussy's Images Set I (Hommage à Rameau) filmed in Paris in 1965. The second half consists of all 12 of Debussy's Preludes Book I filmed in Paris in 1978. And in both halves, Michelangeli is, to put it simply, perfect. His articulation is flawless, his technique effortless, his control limitless, his tone endless, and his interpretations essentially definitive. But while the pianist's admirers have always known this, they will still be amazed and astounded to watch him actually achieve this perfection. The ineffable grace and incandescent agility of his playing is breathtaking, the power and elegance of his interpretations are awe-inspiring. Seemingly without exerting himself, Michelangeli creates performances that defy space, time, and gravity. (James Leonard)

Cast:
Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, piano

Track List:
Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757):
Sonata in C minor, Kk. 11
Sonata in C major, Kk. 159 'La caccia'
Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849):
Mazurka in G sharp minor, Op. 33 No. 1
Mazurka in B minor, Op. 33 No. 4
Claude Debussy (1862-1918):
Hommage à Rameau (from: Images, Set I)
Préludes, Book 1 (Rec. 1978)