Van Cliburn - My Favorite Debussy

Other reviewers have stated that they, like me, are most fond of Debussy's "Clair de lune" as piano solos of Debussy's work go, and I join them. I love Debussy music overall and I love "Clair de lune" most of all. I am very pleased with this CD of Debussy's work. Van Cliburn was a great pianist and, here, he does not disappoint. It has been said by those who know music well that Van Cliburn's style of piano playing was reminiscent of singing. I'd agree with that. There's joy and exuberance in his playing and I can hear it in this album. A friend of mine who is a piano virtuoso once said to me that Debussy really knew what to do with a piano and that playing his music was, for her, a transporting experience. I'd agree with that assessment, too. So I'd say that adding Van Cliburn to Claude Debussy results in something quite wonderful and I'm so glad they remastered this recording for the digital recording on audio CD, because it is even better than it was on vinyl, given the lack of noise from the recording media. It is a very, very good thing.

Yes, this album certainly met my expectations. One of my favorite memories as a child was, after dinner in the evening, my mother would play the piano. Her favorite piece was Claire de Lune. We would sit and listen to her play this beautiful music and much more. She was an excellent pianist and piano teacher. It was more pleasurable than sitting in front of the TV. I credit her with inspiring me to a 40 year career in music and my dad for encouraging to pursue that vocation.Van Cliburn, along with Artur Rubenstein were two of her favorite concert pianists. So, this album has brought back many a fond memory.

Good Day Reader, I am known to wax long on some of the artistic talent I like, but I'm sure you know this gentleman for his great interpretations and stylings on the piano. Words truly fall short, if used to describe the music of the great master composers, and pianists of the each age.May I simply suggest that you get this recording, pour yourself a glass of wine and snuggle with a sweetheart, if you can, and enjoy. Hay, it's Van Cliburn, playing DeBussy, how can you go wrong? Your ears and soul will thank you. Jeff

Our local NPR station plays almost nothing during the day except classical music...and, as a consequence, I never listen to our local NPR station during the day (at 9 pm, the jazz programs starts and then I tune in). I don't like the vast majority of classicial music. But for me, Debussy almost as much jazz as classical, a musical Picasso of sorts and I've owned a copy of Van Cliburn's My Favorite Debussy in one form or another for many years.

As a lover of Debussy's music, I've had a hard time finding recordings that I liked, or that I thought did justice to his work. This album, for me, stands above the rest. Mr. Cliburn gives the best performance of "Clair de Lune" I've ever heard (which is the piece most people will recognize). Others that stood out for me were "Reverie" and "Reflections In the Water." This is a first-class album. It sounds wonderful, with breathtaking performances by a true virtuosic genius.

Beautifully performed and interpreted along with great tonal recording, I thoroughly enjoyed Van Cliburn's renditions here. I have other Debussy recordings by other artists, but this is an extremely pleasing album and I highly recommend it.

The quality of classical CD's is so appreciated! There is no comparison. Van Cliburn was a child prodigy and it's no wonder. Clair de lune is all time favorite by him. Must have collection.

I bought this CD because I love Clair De Lune. Unfortunately, that was the only song I liked. It seemed like the pianist was just pressing keys with no tune

Van Cliburn's musicianship is always superlative.