Listen Closer to, say, Walter Gieseking
Best known for his intimate, almost translucent interpretations of Debussy and Ravel, Gieseking’s style has long divided listeners. Some dismiss his playing as emotionally distant or overly plain (me). But others say it’s a refusal to overstate (almost me). Like, take his Debussy as an example—most pianist lean into impressionism drama. Eg., the master of which: Gieseking’s moonlight is like, wind whisper through water. He lets those notes hang like breath and his pedaling is nearly, invisible....