The Debussy-year 2012 brought a wealth of reissues on the\nmarket, but surprisingly few new recordings. Reason the more to\nwelcome this new recording of a generous selection of Debussy piano\nworks, centred around the substantial “12 Etudes”.These works,\nwritten in the later stage of Debussy’s creative life, form the\napotheosis of his style. Far from any evocative “impressionistic”\nTonmalerei or picturesque atmosphere painting they are Debussy’s\nanswer to the Etudes of Chopin, purely abstract creations of\nmelody, harmony and rhythm. Fiercely uncompromising and difficult,\nthey form the summit of Debussy’s piano oeuvre, and one of the\nhighest challenges to any performing pianist. The young Italian\npianist Mariangela Vacatello likes challenges, as was convincingly\nproven by her excellent recording of the Liszt Transcendental\nStudies (Brilliant Classics): “…poetic and playful, her technique\nknows no limits..a remarkable artist..” (Piano News) and a “5 Star”\nreview in the German magazine Fono Forum. Liner notes in English\nand Italian.

\n

The exciting young Italian pianist Mariangela Vacatello is a\nLiszt specialist, renowned for her passionate performances and\ntechnical ability.

\n

She has given concerts at prestigious venues across the USA and\nEurope, and she has won many awards. These include second prize at\nthe Franz Liszt International Piano Competition in 1999, and the\nInternet Audience Award at the 2009 Van Cliburn International Piano\nCompetition. ‘A very exciting player’ Musical Opinion, 2008.\nVacatello’s previous disc of the Transcendental Studies on\nBrilliant Classics won golden opinions; now she turns to a no less\nchallenging but somewhat more elliptical aesthetic with the late\npiano music of Debussy. The 12 Etudes move from ironic instruction\nto fiendish complexity; part satire, part evocation of a lost\nworld. Complementing the Etudes are the more immediately\nassimilable sets of Estampes and early Arabesques as well as the\ndelightful glitter of L’Isle Joyeuse.

\n\n