DEBUSSY: Piano Works Vol. 2

Thiollier, Francois-Joel

8.553291

Volume 2 of François-Joël Thiollier’s Debussy cycle, which I’m belatedly discovering, contains the popular Children’s Corner and the charming Little Negro together with two quite large works which don’t always get into surveys of Debussy’s solo piano music. La boîte à joujoux was intended as a ballet for children or marionettes and the piano score was completed in 1913.
This was presumably not intended as an autonomous performing version but a basis from which to work, for Debussy began orchestration the following year, leaving it unfinished at his death. His friend André Caplet, who also made an orchestral version of Children’s Corner, completed it for performance in 1919 under Inghelbrecht. I have to admit I don’t remember ever hearing the orchestral score – or the piano one – but as played here there is nothing to suggest it was not originally intended for piano if you did not know, though it is sparing of Debussy’s usual pianistic effects. This is late, rarefied Debussy and without any stage action it seems disconcertingly fragmentary. The Gounod and Bizet quotations are introduced with Satie-like wit; these and the introduction of a zany version of The Little Negro to represent the English soldier may be the most memorable moment. The third tableau seems the most complete musically. The work might grow on you with time. Thiollier sounds as if he is improvising it on the spot, and this seems the most likely approach to bring it to life.
Something a bit more classically strict would be needed on the orchestra, but there would be greater colour to counteract it.•Christopher Howell, MusicWeb International, March 2007

CD x 1

Naxos

16.10.95

730099429122