On Air Now
Calm Classics with Ritula Shah 10pm - 1am
Extraordinary playing from pianist Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli creates an essential recording for any music library.
Composer: Debussy
Repertoire: Préludes; Images
Artists: Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli (piano)
Rating: 4/5
Genre: Instrumental
Label: DG 477 5345
These recordings, rarely out of the catalogue since their first appearances in 1978 (Préludes) and 1971 (Images), have achieved cult status. Michelangeli’s refined keyboard colouring and penetrating textual lucidity are extraordinary, but at the same time I find something emotionally detached behind the playing. Whether or not you respond favourably, however, it remains an essential piano disc for every collection.