Even though Paul Jacobs' classic 1978 recordings of Debussy's Préludes, Books I and II were made just before the dawn of the digital era, they have superb audio reproduction with almost no traces of tape hiss, and this ADD package sounds almost as clean as many all-digital recordings. With that concern put to rest, listeners may relax and absorb these splendid performances without distraction, the perfect state to listen to such subtle and carefully crafted music. These Nonesuch reissues are widely liked for Jacobs' ...
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Even though Paul Jacobs' classic 1978 recordings of Debussy's Préludes, Books I and II were made just before the dawn of the digital era, they have superb audio reproduction with almost no traces of tape hiss, and this ADD package sounds almost as clean as many all-digital recordings. With that concern put to rest, listeners may relax and absorb these splendid performances without distraction, the perfect state to listen to such subtle and carefully crafted music. These Nonesuch reissues are widely liked for Jacobs' sensitive handling of Debussy's atmospheric timbres and textures, but they are especially admired for the firmness of the lines and clarity of rhythms, without which many of the softer Préludes can deteriorate into mush. In Jacobs' balanced readings, the structure of each piece is carefully supported, and the melodic and rhythmic shapes are always clearly maintained, even when blurring them might have been a viable option. The pieces are therefore less hazy than might be expected, and more...
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