Gaillard was the first pianist to publicly perform all of Debussy’s then-known piano music…perhaps most striking is his surprisingly sparse use of both rubato and pedal in these performances…Guilbert was also a noted jazz and popular pianist, which perhaps informs some of the relaxed freedom of her lovely interpretations.

This first issue in APR’s French Piano School series is absorbing and thought-provoking. You will hear finer recordings of all these works, but that does not invalidate the experience of listening to playing of another time. This is an intriguing issue even when it has you blowing hot and cold.

A promising start to an important new series.