Debussy: Piano Music

If one characteristic stands out in Carolyn Jones' debut album of the piano music of Claude Debussy, it is the assured delicacy of her touch, which is apparent in each of the popular selections. This is not to suggest that her Debussy is especially airy or diaphanous, for there is always a firm shape to her lines, crispness in her timbres, and a steady rhythmic grounding in the music, and Jones is capable of a wide range of attacks that include robust and energetic activity. Yet in all this is her great care and precision in producing distinct tones and well-turned musical phrases, and her playing is that of a musical connoisseur who has true aesthetic concerns. Her affection for Debussy's music goes back to her childhood, and her love of the Two Arabesques, Suite bergamasque, Children's Corner, and Estampes could have adversely affected the music with sentimental emotions and a subjective viewpoint. Yet Jones' genuine feelings never get in the way of her objective assessment of what sounds beautiful or essential, so her execution is well-balanced with her expressions. The sound is clean and clear, so the refinement and polish of Jones' sound are presented with natural resonance and clarity.