(August 2019) Episode 227 is CLAUDE DEBUSSY.  I enjoy his music more than I should, since I’m not a fan of impressionist art or French culture. But the color and texture of his compositions grab you, sometimes as if they were beings with their own personality. Certain piano pieces, such as the préludes and études, must be exceedingly difficult to perform. He didn’t kill pianos like Liszt or Rachmaninoff, but certainly wore them out. He was ahead of his time.

Favorite piece: Prelude to the afternoon of a faun

Favorite chamber piece: Sonata for cello and piano

Favorite longer orchestral piece: La mer

Favorite piano piece: 12 Ètudes

Compared to expectations: same

(March 2019) I have completed episode 207 of my “opus project.” This edition: MAURICE RAVEL. A rare case where a composer’s best known work (Boléro) is unlike anything else he did. I love the way it builds over the repetition. I’m not a fan of impressionism (art or music) but there were some works here that, ahem, impressed me more than expected, especially the complex orchestral and stage compositions. I imagine pianophiles like to challenge themselves with his piano works. He didn’t write as much as contemporaries.

Favorite piece: Boléro

Favorite stage piece: Daphnis et Chloé (ballet)

Favorite orchestral piece: Piano Concerto in G

Favorite small piece (non-vocal): Tzigane

Compared to expectations: same