The remarkable Julian Jacobson ready to show us the path that led to the creation of twenty four of the most extraordinary visions of Claude Debussy. Starting the journey with the Motet ‘Adoramus te’ by Palestrina adapted for piano by Godowsky with the just respect that the founder of modern day music deserves . Followed by three short piece by Mussorgsky and ending with the ‘Berceuse’ by Chopin. Adding to the published programme two Arabesques by Debussy to make up a programme with an interval . Following with the 12 Preludes Book 1 played by a true kapellmeister who carries in his head the entire piano repertoire .
A single Mazurka by Chopin as an encore, I stayed in my seat convinced we would get the other 51!
Beauty and architectural authority characterised a concert that was a lesson in simple humility before such masterpieces that just poured from his fingers in another fascinating evening with Julian Jacobson. A musician who has the entire piano repertoire at his fingertips had decided to revisit the Debussy Preludes in two evenings .Each book prefaced by the composers that had influenced Debussy .
The preludes I had written about just a year ago but it was fascinating to hear the works that had influenced the writing of them. Prof Jacobson’s programme notes speak for themselves and realising at the last minute that there was an interval he happily added some more works to his programme .
ChristopherAxworthy-MusicCommentary 