Ricardo Viñes plays Debussy Poissons d'Or

Описание: Claude Debussy (1862-1918):
From Images, 2e Livre:
3. Poissons d'or, dedicated to Ricardo Viñes
Ricardo Viñes, piano
Recorded in 1930

Ricardo Viñes (5 February 1875 -- 29 April 1943) was a famous Spanish pianist. He first publicly performed many important works by Maurice Ravel, Claude Debussy, Erik Satie, Manuel de Falla, Déodat de Séverac and Isaac Albéniz. He was also the piano teacher of composer Francis Poulenc and of Marcelle Meyer.

He was born in Lleida, Catalonia. He studied piano at the Paris Conservatoire, and composition and harmony with Benjamin Godard and Albert Lavignac. He was influential with Ravel supplying him many readings and was a member of the group known as Les Apaches.

Viñes premiered works including Ravel's Menuet antique (1898), Jeux d'eau (1902), Pavane pour une infante défunte (1902), Miroirs (1906), and Gaspard de la nuit (1909). Menuet antique and the second movement of Miroirs, "Oiseaux tristes" (Sad birds), were dedicated to Viñes.

In his honour, an International piano competition "Ricard Viñes" is held each year in his birthtown Lleida.
(Source: Wikipedia)

Artwork: Gold fish, 19th Century Japanese lacquer-work, a source of inspiration for Debussy (it hung in his study).