Pascal Rogé recorded Debussy’s Preludes Book 1 for Decca some time ago, and he has remade them, together with Book 2, marking the start of a complete cycle of this composer’s piano works. Although you won’t find Krystian Zimerman’s ultra-refined fingerwork and wide dynamic range, nor Paul Jacobs’ linear perception, there’s much to be said for Rogé’s warm, colorful sonority and ear for nuance. His subtle rubatos in Danseuse de Delphes, Des pas sur la neige, and La sérénade interrompue are astutely timed. So are the jagged cakewalk rhythms of Minstrels and General Lavine-eccentric. If Rogé is somewhat leisurely and sedate in both La terrasse des audiences du claire de lune and Les fées sont d’exquises danseuses, his lean and sprightly Ondine surely compensates. Collectors seeking both books of Debussy Preludes on a single disc in modern sound will find Rogé comparable to Alain Planès (Harmonia Mundi), and a more stylish contender than Votapek (Ivory Classics), Viardo (ProPiano), or Rowland (SurroundedBy).
