Album: Debussy, Préludes/Trois Nocturnes, etc – Alexei Lubimov/Alexei Zuev (ECM)

Pianist Alexei Lubimov continues his quest to find the perfect match of repertoire and instrument in this extraordinary survey of Debussy's Préludes.

A 1925 Bechstein provides the pellucidity and percussive brilliance for Book 1, a 1913 Steinway an exotic, satin-finished soundworld for Book 2. The textures are intense and immediate, the blend of the instruments beguiling as Lubimov is joined by Alexei Zuev for Trois Nocturnes for two pianos.