Claude Debussy: Préludes

Not a lot of people know that Debussy had a reputation for being a "barbaric" pianist during his conservatory days. What a contrast to the hazy impressionist we usually like to see him (and play him) as. And now here we have Zimerman strongly characterizing each prelude with an almost "barbaric" force (or should I say "vividness"?) when called for. One could almost say that he overcharacterizes, but that is a good fault! For once, these preludes are not overpedalled -- thus clarifying many textures (such as the opening of "Fireworks"). My only reservation is the fact that Zimerman does not take into account the idosyncratic meter/tempo changes in "The Sunken Cathedral." What a pity -- this set would've been perfect otherwise. But I certainly don't care. I'll play "The Sunken Catheral" to myself, but for the rest, Zimerman is just incomparable. This is a prime example of virtuosity serving the music, and not the other way around.