During World War I, Walter Gieseking was unable to perform French music, as German troops evidently considered it unacceptable to play 'enemy' repertoire.
Recording & Production
Walter Gieseking embarked on the first complete Debussy cycle by any pianist for English Columbia between 1953 and 1955, which became a staple of the catalogue.
Critical Reception
Emma Bardac, Claude Debussy's widow, was deeply moved by Walter Gieseking's performances, stating, "I close my eyes and feel the master is playing again."
Performer Biography
During World War I, Walter Gieseking was conscripted into a military symphony orchestra, where he played violin, viola, percussion, and piano and organ soloist.
Historical Context
During World War II, the Reich Music Chamber initially prohibited the music of French composers like Debussy, but Joseph Goebbels later modified the ban to allow limited performances.
Performer Biography
Walter Gieseking, a German pianist, spent the first sixteen years of his life on the French Riviera, despite both his parents being German.
Critical Reception
Despite initial protests preventing his return to the U.S. in 1949, Walter Gieseking's 1955 all-Debussy recital at Carnegie Hall was a "near-miraculous" success, filling every seat and overflowing onto the stage.
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