Given that Roger Woodward recorded Debussy’s Préludes Book II and Bach’s E minor Partita in January 2007 for Celestial Harmonies, it seems redundant for the label to release alternative live versions from that same time period six years after the fact. Be that as it may, Woodward is on relaxed, unfettered form throughout this January 7, 2007 Radio Bremen recital.
His Debussy Préludes feature gorgeously sustained chord playing in both Feuilles mortes and Canope, a flexible and sexy La puerta del Vino, striking textural differentiation in La terrasse des audiences du clair de lune, and impetuous runs in Feux d’artifice. However, Woodward’s concurrent studio versions are more meticulously detailed and steadier in pulse (Général Lavine – eccentric’s dotted rhythms, for example).
The Partita represents full-bodied and expressive Bach pianism at its best, with the Gigue taken considerably faster than its studio counterpart and an additional repeat that stretches the already protracted Sarabande out to an epic 10 minutes. Following lyrical and expansive readings of Chopin’s first two Op. 59 Mazurkas, Woodward ignites No. 3 at the outset and keeps the energy up. A little less pedal would better clarify the left-hand accentuations, but that might be due to the overly resonant ambience. Woodward’s best work always fascinates, and the pianist’s admirers surely will want to know about this release.
