Although Claude Debussy would probably cringe at the label, historians view his music as impressionistic, forever tying it to the late 19th-century art movement that used wide swaths of color and texture in rendering exotic locales. Because of this, many musicians have over-romanticized Debussy instead of magnifying the clarity inherent in his works.

This cannot be said for the most recent offering by French pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet, whose second double-CD installment of Debussy's complete works sparkles with a refined Gallic lyricism but retains an almost Mozartian reliance on clarity. This almost crystalline interpretation showcases the enormous dynamic range of Thibaudet's playing and Debussy's compositions.

Thibaudet exhibits his wonderful musicianship and phrasing early on during "Images." Later, the more challenging "Danse" (RealAudio excerpt) showcases the pianist's glowing technique without being dragged down under its weighty texture.

The second disc begins with the perennial favorite Suite Bergamasque and the often overplayed "Claire de Lune" (RealAudio excerpt). A slightly faster tempo and slight hesitations between phrase groups characterize this interpretation. The "Ètudes" — Books 1 and 2 — highlight the final section of the album. The ètudes, written with Chopin in mind, are at their most technical on #12, "Pour les Accords" (RealAudio excerpt).