Nicolas van Poucke plays Rachmaninoff and Debussy

Rachmaninoff's Études-tableaux op. 33

Rachmaninoff's Études-tableaux, op. 33 are musical 'picture studies', vivid evocations of visual imagery. The composer deliberately left them untitled, allowing both the performer and the audience the freedom to interpret the images the music conjures. What remains unmistakable, however, is the grandeur and emotional depth of these pieces - passionate yet melancholic - making them a perfect showcase for Van Poucke's virtuosity and imaginative artistry.

Debussy’s Préludes book I

Debussy’s Préludes are musical impressions that relocate the audience into a world of delicate nuance and rich symbolism, with each piece painting a unique, poetic scene. Unlike Rachmaninoff in his Études-Tableaux, Debussy did title his Préludes but intentionally placed the titles at the end of each piece, allowing the music to be experienced freely before any associations were formed. With his refined technique and vivid musicality, Van Poucke brings Debussy’s enigmatic soundscape to life, ensuring that every note tells a story. Dutch newspaper Parool noted: 'There are not many pianists who know how to approach this musically and psychologically complex world with such naturalness'.