The Complete Warner Recordings 16CD (CD)

The EMI Classics recordings of Cécile Ousset (b. 1936), spanning the years between 1982 and 1991, would mark her third and most prestigious recording collaboration, launching her, at age forty-six, into the international limelight. Indeed, recognition did not come easily to this grand dame of the piano, who, at the age of fourteen, obtained her prize at the Paris Conservatoire under the tutelage of Marcel Ciampi and began the grueling rounds at major competitions shortly after: Geneva, Long-Thibaud, Queen Elisabeth and Busoni, as well as the inaugural edition of the Van Cliburn. As a young female pianist, doors remained firmly shut, even with the support of the great Arthur Rubinstein, who personally invested in Ousset's early career after witnessing her performance at the Long-Thibaud competition. Her rise to international fame came primarily in the 1970s, notably through her recordings for the German Eterna label as well as for Decca France. The year 1982 marked the release of her first solo recording with EMI, a vivid program pairing Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition with Ravel's Gaspard de la nuit. Writing in The Musical Times, Cyril Ehrlich lauds a "luminous tone" and a "sense of style", proclaiming, "Cécile Ousset is an exhilarating pianist". Her strong technique, based on the Russian method taught by Ciampi lends her playing a clear-cut and robust tone; her virtuosity is proved incontestable, revealing a mastery of sound, color and brilliance. Works of the French repertoire continued to occupy an important place in Ousset's programs. To France's greatest modernists, Debussy and Ravel, the pianist would consecrate significant recordings in the second half of the 80s. Liszt and Chopin were essential components of her repertoire as well. The recording of Chopin's Third Sonata brims with poignant lyricism and heroic sentiment, it's excellent pacing just as admirable as the naturalness of the playing, hardly ostentatious but in every way spellbinding. "Like Pollini," observes Gramophone, "the masterful Ousset commands in this work... [her] Chopin CD will give immense pleasure by reason of her indefatigable musical verve." A survey of Cécile Ousset's acclaimed concerto recordings for EMI may point to a seemingly-logical conclusion - that the pianist was drawn to the unabashedly-virtuosic heavyweights of the concerto literature: Rachmaninov, Saint-Saëns, Liszt, Prokofiev, Grieg, Tchaikovsky

Track List

1. Pictures at An Exhibition: Promenade I
2. Pictures at An Exhibition: I. the Gnome
3. Pictures at An Exhibition: Promenade II
4. Pictures at An Exhibition: II. the Old Castle
5. Pictures at An Exhibition: Promenade III
6. Pictures at An Exhibition: III. Tuileries
7. Pictures at An Exhibition: IV. Bydlo
8. Pictures at An Exhibition: Promenade IV
9. Pictures at An Exhibition: V. Ballet of the Unhatched Chicks
10. Pictures at An Exhibition: VI. Samuel Goldenberg and Schmuÿle
11. Pictures at An Exhibition: Promenade V
12. Pictures at An Exhibition: VII. Limoges the Market
13. Pictures at An Exhibition: VIII. Catacombs
14. Pictures at An Exhibition: Cum Mortuis in Lingua Mortua
15. Pictures at An Exhibition: IX. the Hut on Fowl's Legs "Baba Yaga"
16. Pictures at An Exhibition: X. the Great Gate of Kiev
17. Gaspard de la Nuit M. 55: I. Ondine
18. Gaspard de la Nuit M. 55: II. Le Gibet
19. Gaspard de la Nuit M. 55: III. Scarbo
20. Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor Op. 22: I. Andante Sostenuto
21. Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor Op. 22: II. Allegro Scherzando
22. Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor Op. 22: III. Presto
23. Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-Flat Major S. 124: I. Allegro Maestoso
24. Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-Flat Major S. 124: II. Quasi Adagio - III. Allegretto Vivace
25. Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-Flat Major S. 124: IV. Allegro Marziale Animato
26. Impromptu No. 2 in F minor Op. 31
27. Impromptu No. 3 in A-Flat Major Op. 34
28. Estampes CD 108 L. 100: No. 1 Pagodes
29. Estampes CD 108 L. 100: No. 2 la Soirée Dans Grenade
30. Estampes CD 108 L. 100: No. 3 Jardins Sous la Pluie
31. Miroirs M. 43: IV. Alborada Del Gracioso
32. 10 Pièces Pittoresques: No. 10 Scherzo-Valse
33. 10 Pièces Pittoresques: No. 6 Idylle
34. 3 Gymnopédies: No. 1 Lent Et Douloureux
35. 3 Gymnopédies: No. 2 Lent Et Triste
36. 3 Gymnopédies: No. 3 Lent Et Grave
37. Allegro Appassionato Op. 70
38. 6 Études Op. 52: No. 6 Étude en Forme de Valse
39. Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major Op. 26: I. Andante - Allegro
40. Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major Op. 26: II. Andantino - Variations 1 to 5 - Tema. L'istesso Tempo
41. Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major Op. 26: III. Allegro Ma Non Troppo
42. Piano Concerto in C-Sharp minor FP 146: I. Allegretto
43. Piano Concerto in C-Sharp minor FP 146: II. Andante Con Moto
44. Piano Concerto in C-Sharp minor FP 146: III. Rondeau À la Française
45. Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor Op. 18: I. Moderato
46. Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor Op. 18: II. Adagio Sostenuto
47. Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor Op. 18: III. Allegro Scherzando
48. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Op. 43: Introduction. Allegro Vivace ; Variation I. Precedente
49. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Op. 43: Theme. L'istesso Tempo ; Variation II. L'istesso Tempo
50. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Op. 43: Variation III. L'istesso Tempo
51. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Op. 43: Variation IV. Più Vivo
52. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Op. 43: Variation V. Tempo Precedente
53. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Op. 43: Variation VI. L'istesso Tempo
54. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Op. 43: Variation VII. Meno Mosso a Tempo Moderato
55. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Op. 43: Variation VIII. Tempo I
56. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Op. 43: Variation IX. L'istesso Tempo
57. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Op. 43: Variation X. Poco Marcato
58. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Op. 43: Variation XI. Moderato
59. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Op. 43: Variation XII. Tempo Di Minuetto
60. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Op. 43: Variation XIII. Allegro
61. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Op. 43: Variation XIV. L'istesso Tempo
62. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Op. 43: Variation XV. Più Vivo Scherzando
63. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Op. 43: Variation XVI. Allegretto
64. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Op. 43: Variation XVII. Allegretto
65. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Op. 43: Variation XVIII. Andante Cantabile
66. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Op. 43: Variation XIX. a Tempo Vivace
67. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Op. 43: Variation XX. Un Poco Più Vivo
68. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Op. 43: Variation XXI. Un Poco Più Vivo
69. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Op. 43: Variation XXII. Un Poco Più Vivo. Alla Breve
70. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Op. 43: Variation XXIII. L'istesso Tempo
71. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Op. 43: Variation XXIV. a Tempo Un Poco Meno Mosso
72. Piano Concerto in a Minor Op. 16: I. Allegro Molto Moderato
73. Piano Concerto in a Minor Op. 16: II. Adagio
74. Piano Concerto in a Minor Op. 16: III. Allegro Moderato Molto E Marcato
75. Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor Op. 25 MWV O7: I. Molto Allegro Con Fuoco
76. Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor Op. 25 MWV O7: II. Andante
77. Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor Op. 25 MWV O7: III. Presto - Molto Allegro E Vivace
78. Piano Sonata in B minor S. 178
79. 6 Études D'exécution Transcendante D'après Paganini S. 140: No. 1 Tremolo
80. 6 Études D'exécution Transcendante D'après Paganini S. 140: No. 2 Octave
81. 6 Études D'exécution Transcendante D'après Paganini S. 140: No. 3 la Campanella
82. 6 Études D'exécution Transcendante D'après Paganini S. 140: No. 4 Arpeggio
83. 6 Études D'exécution Transcendante D'après Paganini S. 140: No. 5 la Chasse
84. 6 Études D'exécution Transcendante D'après Paganini S. 140: No. 6 Thème Et Variations
85. Préludes Livre I CD 125 L. 117: No. 1 Danseuses de Delphes
86. Préludes Livre I CD 125 L. 117: No. 2 Voiles
87. Préludes Livre I CD 125 L. 117: No. 3 Le Vent Dans la Plaine
88. Préludes Livre I CD 125 L. 117: No. 4 Les Sons Et Les Parfums Tournent Dans I'air Du Soir
89. Préludes Livre I CD 125 L. 117: No. 5 Les Collines D'anacapri
90. Préludes Livre I CD 125 L. 117: No. 6 Des Pas Sur la Neige
91. Préludes Livre I CD 125 L. 117: No. 7 Ce Qu'a Vu Le Vent D'ouest
92. Préludes Livre I CD 125 L. 117: No. 8 la Fille Aux Cheveux de Lin
93. Préludes Livre I CD 125 L. 117: No. 9 la Sérénade Interrompue
94. Préludes Livre I CD 125 L. 117: No. 10 la Cathédrale Engloutie
95. Préludes Livre I CD 125 L. 117: No. 11 la Danse de Puck
96. Préludes Livre I CD 125 L. 117: No. 12 Minstrels
97. Préludes Livre II CD 131 L. 123: No. 1 Brouillards
98. Préludes Livre II CD 131 L. 123: No. 2 Feuilles Mortes
99. Préludes Livre II CD 131 L. 123: No. 3 la Puerta Del Vino
100. Préludes Livre II CD 131 L. 123: No. 4 Les Fées Sont D'exquises Danseuses
101. Préludes Livre II CD 131 L. 123: No. 5 Bruyères
102. Préludes Livre II CD 131 L. 123: No. 6 General Lavine - Excentric
103. Préludes Livre II CD 131 L. 123: No. 7 la Terrasse Des Audiences Du Clair de Lune
104. Préludes Livre II CD 131 L. 123: No. 8 Ondine
105. Préludes Livre II CD 131 L. 123: No. 9 Hommage À S. Pickwick Esq. P. P. M. P. C
106. Préludes Livre II CD 131 L. 123: No. 10 Canope
107. Préludes Livre II CD 131 L. 123: No. 11 Les Tierces Alternées
108. Préludes Livre II CD 131 L. 123: No. 12 Feux D'artifice
109. Pour Le Piano CD 95 L. 95: I. Prélude
110. Pour Le Piano CD 95 L. 95: II. Sarabande
111. Pour Le Piano CD 95 L. 95: III. Toccata
112. L'isle Joyeuse CD 109 L. 106
113. Piano Sonata No. 3 in B minor Op. 58: I. Allegro Maestoso
114. Piano Sonata No. 3 in B minor Op. 58: II. Scherzo
115. Piano Sonata No. 3 in B minor Op. 58: III. Largo
116. Piano Sonata No. 3 in B minor Op. 58: IV. Finale. Presto Non Tanto
117. Ballade No. 1 in G minor Op. 23
118. Ballade No. 2 in F Major Op. 38
119. Ballade No. 3 in A-Flat Major Op. 47
120. Ballade No. 4 in F minor Op. 52
121. Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-Flat minor Op. 35 "Funeral March": I. Grave - Doppio Movimento
122. Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-Flat minor Op. 35 "Funeral March": II. Scherzo
123. Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-Flat minor Op. 35 "Funeral March": III. Marche Funèbre. Lento
124. Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-Flat minor Op. 35 "Funeral March": IV. Finale. Presto
125. Scherzo No. 1 in B minor Op. 20
126. Scherzo No. 2 in B-Flat minor Op. 31
127. Scherzo No. 3 in C-Sharp minor Op. 39
128. Scherzo No. 4 in E Major Op. 54
129. Images Livre I CD 105 L. 110: No. 1 Reflets Dans L'eau
130. Images Livre I CD 105 L. 110: No. 2 Hommage À Rameau
131. Images Livre I CD 105 L. 110: No. 3 Mouvement
132. Images Livre II CD 120 L. 111: No. 1 Cloches À Travers Les Feuilles
133. Images Livre II CD 120 L. 111: No. 2 Et la Lune Descend Sur Le Temple Qui Fut
134. Images Livre II CD 120 L. 111: No. 3 Poissons D'or
135. 2 Arabesques CD 74 L. 66: No. 1 Andantino Con Moto
136. 2 Arabesques CD 74 L. 66: No. 2 Allegretto Scherzando
137. Suite Bergamasque CD 82 L. 75: I. Prélude
138. Suite Bergamasque CD 82 L. 75: II. Menuet
139. Suite Bergamasque CD 82 L. 75: III. Clair de Lune
140. Suite Bergamasque CD 82 L. 75: IV. Passepied
141. Valses Nobles Et Sentimentales M. 61: No. 1 Modéré
142. Valses Nobles Et Sentimentales M. 61: No. 2 Assez Lent
143. Valses Nobles Et Sentimentales M. 61: No. 3 Modéré
144. Valses Nobles Et Sentimentales M. 61: No. 4 Assez Animé
145. Valses Nobles Et Sentimentales M. 61: No. 5 Presque Lent
146. Valses Nobles Et Sentimentales M. 61: No. 6 Vif
147. Valses Nobles Et Sentimentales M. 61: No. 7 Moins Vif
148. Valses Nobles Et Sentimentales M. 61: No. 8 Épilogue. Lent
149. Jeux D'eau M. 30
150. Menuet Sur Le Nom de Haydn M. 58
151. Sonatine M. 40: I. Modéré
152. Sonatine M. 40: II. Mouvement de Menuet
153. Sonatine M. 40: III. Animé
154. Pavane Pour Une Infante Défunte M. 19
155. Miroirs M. 43: I. Noctuelles
156. Miroirs M. 43: II. Oiseaux Tristes
157. Miroirs M. 43: III. Une Barque Sur L'océan
158. Miroirs M. 43: IV. Alborada Del Gracioso
159. Miroirs M. 43: V. La Vallée Des Cloches
160. Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor Op. 30: I. Allegro Ma Non Tanto
161. Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor Op. 30: II. Intermezzo. Adagio
162. Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor Op. 30: III. Finale. Alla Breve
163. Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-Flat minor Op. 36: I. Allegro Agitato
164. Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-Flat minor Op. 36: II. Non Allegro - Lento
165. Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-Flat minor Op. 36: III. L'istesso Tempo - Allegro Molto
166. Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-Flat minor Op. 23: I. Allegro Non Troppo E Molto Maestoso - Allegro Con Spirito
167. Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-Flat minor Op. 23: II. Andantino Semplice - Prestissimo
168. Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-Flat minor Op. 23: III. Allegro Con Fuoco
169. Piano Concerto in a Minor Op. 54: I. Allegro Affettuoso
170. Piano Concerto in a Minor Op. 54: II. Intermezzo. Andantino Grazioso
171. Piano Concerto in a Minor Op. 54: III. Allegro Vivace
172. Piano Concerto in G Major M. 83: II. Adagio Assai
173. Piano Concerto in G Major M. 83: I. Allegramente
174. Piano Concerto in G Major M. 83: III. Presto
175. Le Tombeau de Couperin M. 68: I. Prélude
176. Le Tombeau de Couperin M. 68: II. Fugue
177. Le Tombeau de Couperin M. 68: III. Forlane
178. Le Tombeau de Couperin M. 68: IV. Rigaudon
179. Le Tombeau de Couperin M. 68: V. Menuet
180. Le Tombeau de Couperin M. 68: VI. Toccata
181. Piano Concerto for the Left Hand in D Major M. 82: II. Allegro
182. Piano Concerto for the Left Hand in D Major M. 82: I. Lento
183. Piano Concerto for the Left Hand in D Major M. 82: III. Tempo Primo