Gramophone: outstanding; International Record Review: oustanding; Music Web International: record of the Month; Penguin Guide 3 stars.
Noriko Ogawa turns to Debussy, giving her interpretation of Images I and II and Estampes and other works. Acclaimed for her virtuoso technique and her gift for musical colouring, Noriko Ogawa is supremely well-suited for this repertoire and gives wonderfully fresh performances of works such as Pagodes and Poissons d’or. Most of the pieces on the disc belong to the best loved piano music in the world, but included is also the set of early and long forgotten Images (oubliés) from 1894. This gives the listener an opportunity to chart Debussy’s progress from young man to the mainstay of the piano repertoire that he undoubtedly is.
Some press voices:
"Musik in Feinarbeit, deren Fortsetzung nachdrücklich zu wünschen ist." Piano News, April 2001
"Ogawa's playing has immense sensibility and command - an excellent start to this cycle.” Gramophone, August 2001
"Noriko Ogawa kreiert ein sehr differenziert gestaffeltes Klangbild.” Klassik Heute, August 2001 "Almost Mozartian in its clarity, delicacy and impeccable sense of proportion." BBC Music Magazine, September 2001
"Ogawa's piano sound is luscious, with bell-tone melodies, exquisitely balanced chords, and arpeggiated flourishes of the most delicate lace." American Record Guide, November 2001
"A Debussy interpreter of exceptional class." International Record Review, December 2001
"In the right hands this music is truly transcendental, and Ogawa has my vote on the strength of these performances." The Pianist, November 2001
"Noriko Ogawa most assuredly sets her standard here, which places her as a leading exponent of this music, surely the greatest piano music of the 20th century." MusicWeb International
