Composer(s): Debussy, Claude
Label: Chandos
Genre: Instrumental
Period: 20th Century; Classical
Catalogue No: CHAN20395
Barcode: 095115239520
Release Date: 06/2026

DEBUSSY, C.: Piano Duets, Vol. 2 (Lortie, Mercier)

Alongside their respective solo careers, Hélène Mercier and Louis Lortie regularly meet to perform as a highly sought-after piano duo. Both born and raised in Montreal, they have formed a musical partnership that goes back to the 1980s, developing a musical intimacy present throughout their wide-ranging repertoire. Their complicity has been strengthened over decades of playing concerts and recording together. This, their nineth album for Chandos, continues their exploration of works by Debussy. The programme features transcriptions by Ravel, Dutilleux, Woollett, Durand, Roques, and the composer of some of his best-known orchestral works (Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune, Nocturnes) and solo piano pieces (Clair de lune, La Soirée dans Grenade, La plus que lente, Rêverie). These sit alongside Lindaraja and En blanc et noir, original compositions for two pianos. Mercier and Lortie alternate the first and second player responsibilities in this mixture of works for two pianos and piano duet.

Tracklist

Debussy, Claude
Mercier, Hélène (piano)
Lortie, Louis (piano)
1 Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune (version for 2 pianos) 08:42
Mercier, Hélène (piano)
Lortie, Louis (piano)
Debussy, Claude
Dutilleux, Henri - Arranger
Mercier, Hélène (piano)
Lortie, Louis (piano)
2 Suite bergamasque: III. Clair de lune (arr. H. Dutilleux for 2 pianos) 04:36
Mercier, Hélène (piano)
Lortie, Louis (piano)
Debussy, Claude
Ravel, Maurice - Arranger
Mercier, Hélène (piano)
Lortie, Louis (piano)
3 No. 1. Nuages 06:57
Mercier, Hélène (piano)
Lortie, Louis (piano)
4 No. 2. Fêtes 06:10
Mercier, Hélène (piano)
Lortie, Louis (piano)
5 No. 3. Sirènes 09:42
Mercier, Hélène (piano)
Lortie, Louis (piano)
Debussy, Claude
Lortie, Louis (piano)
Mercier, Hélène (piano)
6 Lindaraja 06:03
Lortie, Louis (piano)
Mercier, Hélène (piano)
Debussy, Claude
Roques, Léon - Arranger
Durand, Jacques - Arranger
Lortie, Louis (piano)
Mercier, Hélène (piano)
7 Estampes: No. 2. La soirée dans Grenade (arr. J. Durand and L. Roques for piano duet) 05:48
Lortie, Louis (piano)
Mercier, Hélène (piano)
Debussy, Claude
Lortie, Louis (piano)
Mercier, Hélène (piano)
8 No. 1. Danse sacrée 04:30
Lortie, Louis (piano)
Mercier, Hélène (piano)
9 No. 2. Danse profane 04:37
Lortie, Louis (piano)
Mercier, Hélène (piano)
Debussy, Claude
Woollett, Henry - Arranger
Mercier, Hélène (piano)
Lortie, Louis (piano)
10 Rêverie (arr. H. Woollett for piano 4 hands) 04:44
Mercier, Hélène (piano)
Lortie, Louis (piano)
Debussy, Claude
Mercier, Hélène (piano)
Lortie, Louis (piano)
11 I. Avec emportement 04:18
Mercier, Hélène (piano)
Lortie, Louis (piano)
12 II. Lent. Sombre 06:01
Mercier, Hélène (piano)
Lortie, Louis (piano)
13 III. Scherzando 04:20
Mercier, Hélène (piano)
Lortie, Louis (piano)
Debussy, Claude
Roques, Léon - Arranger
Mercier, Hélène (piano)
Lortie, Louis (piano)
14 La plus que lente (arr. L. Roques for piano 4 hands) 04:55
Mercier, Hélène (piano)
Lortie, Louis (piano)

Total Playing Time: 01:21:23