Claude Debussy: Sonatas

A part of the fantastic Pentatone's Remastered Classics series, and originally released in 1996 culled from two sessions recorded in the early and mid-1970's, this chamber cornucopia of Debussy pieces is a sublinely perfect showcase for this incarnation of the Boston Symphony Chamber Players wtih Joseph Silverstein then the concermaster wtih the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Jules Eskin, Doriot Anthony Dwyer, Burton Fine, Ann Hobson and the then emerging Michael Tilson Thomas. Serving a tantalizing blend of both well known and more obscure compositions, the collection shimmers with the blend of Romantic and incipient modernity that manifested in his compositions and enjoys a high level of inspired playing throughout. As Debussy himself said of his music and this collection demonstrates so vividly, ""The music is terribly melancholy, and I do not know whether one should laugh or cry. Perhaps both together?