Review: Dueling Debussy "Complete" Editions from DG and Warner

For reasons only the record industry can explain, a few years ago Warner and Deutsche Grammophon released competing "complete" editions of the works of Claude Debussy. The DG Edition has 22 CDs, the Warner 33. Obviously both can't be "complete," if indeed either of them is. Ultimately the choice is clear. Check out the video to see the winner of this particular duel.

[@davidaiken1061]

This "Dueling Debussy Boxes" video was very helpful indeed. As it turns out the earlier DG box--not quite the complete works, but close enough, is still available and at decent prices for used copies from Amazon. Since you gave this earlier DG edition a ringing endorsement, tempered by the lament that it had been replaced by an inferior new DG edition, I did not hesitate to order a used copy of the earlier one. The selling points were the Boulez recordings of all the major orchestral works and the combination of Michelangeli, Zimmerman and Kocsis in the piano music--all of which are new to me, and I can't wait to hear them. You also praised the EMI edition for its absolute completeness, but that one would involve too much duplication with recordings I already have--particularly Martinon in orchestral works, Ciccolini and François in the piano music. Now I need to check out your complete Ravel edition video for help with that one. Thanks so much!

[@scottbernard8824]

Wow. Must have missed this, but fortunately got the Warner set in the mail today.

[@Emrla1]

Youri Egorov, a pianist who should never be forgotten. I see that his EMI (Warner) box set is still listed on Amazon.

[@bobhourigan8491]

Wow, you've sold me on the Warner set. Thanks much for the review.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Any time!

[@djquinn4212]

The Pélléas DVD of Boulez in the DG box is quite fine. It’s as “realistic” of a Pélléas production, and Boulez makes the welsh national opera orchestra sound like a world class ensemble. While the rest of that box is all over the place, at least they got BOTH Pélléas performances right. The Karajan Pélléas is Baritone/Mezzo in the leads, Jordan has Tenor/Soprano so he has to keep the textures lighter leading to the more “French” vibe. Karajan leans into the Wagnerian vibes of the score. Both are beautiful readings of the score, but I think both Abbado and Boulez are better performances.

[@ttlaudioproductions3405]

I chuckled out loud when you said "essentially, this is complete...", reminding me of your recent DG Beethoven odyssey...

[@ronnyskaar3737]

I found both "The Debussy edition"(DG) and the Warner (with a few outtakes) on Tidal. Great! You won't get the booklet, but you don't need it anyway after listening to David. And no need for your own overflow-room.

[@TheOssia]

While the Warner box does include the Les Chansons de Bilitis for 2 flutes, 2 harps, & celesta ... none of those boxes include Debussy's sketches of No-Ja-Li ou Le palais du silence (Chinese ballet) ... which opens with a great Gong smash! :-)

[@willx9352]

Both the Warner set and the DG Debussy edition are available as FLAC (CD quality) downloads from Presto Classical for around $60 USD - so cheap I bought both of them some time ago!

[@markfarrington5183]

Among the superior recordings which might've been included in either DG box : the 1970 Boston Symphony Chamber performances of the three late Sonatas, now on Eloquence - a magic disc IMHO.

[@fredcasden]

You are a nice guy!

[@rickbanales4031]

I have the Warner Debussy box, and I have to agree with you, especially on the Armin Jordan Pelleas et Melisande - for me, it sounds like a very "French" interpretation, much like the old Serge Baudo version.

[@curseofmillhaven1057]

As with resurrecting the Egorov piano stuff I just wish they might have given the nod to the great Serge Baudo LPO versions of La Mer and Jeux as left field alternatives to the (admittedly excellent) Giulini and Cluyten's. Just my two cents worth😉

[@michaelenglekingjr.8715]

A year late, but I'm glad to hear my Collection of Debussy (Warner) is the most complete collection.

[@ronrendleman558]

The DG "Complete" box does include texts and translations for the vocal works

[@frankgyure3154]

DH. Off topic. Just got the Markevitch/Phillips box. I absolutely love it. Thank you.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Great to hear!

[@langsamwozzeck]

With all these complete-ish Debussy sets, maybe an Ideal Debussy Orchestral Works would be a good topic?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Worth considering!

[@TheOssia]

@@DavesClassicalGuide - While the Warner box does include the Les Chansons de Bilitis for 2 flutes, 2 harps, & celesta ... none of those boxes include Debussy's sketches of No-Ja-Li ou Le palais du silence (Chinese ballet) ... which opens with a great Gong smash! :-)

[@mancal5829]

The grey cells turned yellow.

[@ammcello]

interesting the Niquet stuff from the Bru-Zane (my new favorite private “label”) Prix de Rome series is licensed by DG

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

And Warner...

[@issadad]

Marvelous, comme toujours. What about the Naxos Debussy box?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Reviewed individually at ClassicsToday.com, if you care.

[@issadad]

@@DavesClassicalGuide Erk! I thought I cared...until I read your reviews. That Naxos Box has 5 stars all over the place, so having just bought it, I feel like throwing myself off a bridge. Have you ever considered doing vids on critical listening -- how to tell good playing from bad? Meanwhile, I trust your ears vastly more than my own, having always felt that just going with what I like won't get me very far.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

@@issadad I've thought about it but how to do it! I'd need permission from labels to use their recordings as examples of horrible performances, and that's not likely to happen. I will think about it, however.

[@EddieJazzFan]

Does anyone know when the 83 CD Boulez DG box comes out?

[@phillipbissell]

The Pelleas IS on the 1st DG box...Abbado

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I said that. Eventually. Just took me a minute.

[@phillipbissell]

@@DavesClassicalGuide oooops.....So you did, sorry about that🤪

[@arbuckle123]

David, what do you think of Arrau's Debussy?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I think it's terrific.

[@loiccery1419]

Do you know how endearing your French accent is? I'm not just talking about the very important service you've just rendered me by explaining the interest of this Warner Debussy Box (which I hesitated to acquire but which I'm now going to buy with my eyes closed, or more exactly with my eyes open), but really about this care in pronouncing the names of the works. Americans in general have no idea how nice their French accent is.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Accent? What accent? ;)

[@OctavinaPlayer]

What about Jun Markl's orchestra works edition?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

What about it?

[@cosimagrundkotter906]

Yes, how is the Naxos Edition on Debussy doing, compared to the "Majors"? What do you think?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

@@cosimagrundkotter906 See my reviews of the individual issues on ClassicsToday.com.

[@andreashartrodt7447]

No Demoiselle elue in all boxes? Can`t believe

[@ronrendleman558]

It is in all 3 boxes with piano but only the Warner box also has the orchestral version

[@robertdandre94101]

i very hope some day... you tube made the traduction of french subtitle corectly.....!!!....example...karajan become ''charogne''...ozawa become ''azawa''....muti become m'ti...boult become ''boolte'' ....silvestri become ''sylvestre''....etc etc

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Hurwitz becomes Heureux...

[@UlfilasNZ]

@@DavesClassicalGuide Nous sommes hereux