Claude debussy had been toying with the idea of writing a book of preludes for some time, and once he began, the process was a speedy one with his first volume completed within two months. That this was general we can to some extent see from the sales figures quoted by roy howat. The twentyfour preludes of debussy are published in two books of twelve preludes each. Both books 1 and 2 of debussys popular piano preludes are contained in this one sturdy volume.
The performances tell it like it is or almost, for not all debussys very demanding contrasts of dynamics are observed, and i imagine collard has small hands, though she. Simply entitled les tierces alternees alternating thirds, this isnt a prelude but an etude, made up of rolling sixteenth notes semiquavers. Usually ships in 24 hours, unless stock becomes depleted. Les sons et les parfums tournent dans lair du soir modere 3. Preludes ii, l1 debussy from cda67920 hyperion records. Debussy himself is recording human experience, revealing veiled messages ranging from bemused comedy to the shards of a. The present release in emis great recordings of the century series marks the third time giesekings 1953 versions are reissued on cd. This paper also includes a brief history of preludes as well as possible influences upon debussy and his compositions. Includes over 30 pages of notes related to interpreting debussy, and performance suggestions. Claude debussys painterly preludes the subtle, elusive quality of debussys twentyfour preludes is captured perfectly by pianist paul jacobs, who plays them with a tolling, belllike sound. Playing debussys piano works an amateurs thoughts about. Module 5 analysis of piano repertoire lessons 1 and 2 debussy preludes the student must look for the book the piano works of claude debsusy, by e. The sheer volume of piano tone pulled from the instrument on the final page is eyebrowraisingly theatrical. My personal journey through the 24 debussy preludes.
Debussys preludes demand a great deal from pianists. Preludes book 2 debussy preludes, opus 32 rachmaninoff by lawrence budmen while an entire concert of preludes may seem repetitive at first glance, the term had a very different meaning to various composers. Steven osborne has already made a name for himself in french music with a disc of alkan and a profoundly moving performance of messiaens vingt regards. Complete preludes, books 1 and 2 by claude debussy 18621918. The late mary antonietti, a pianist and cousin of gustav holst who met debussy when he came to london in 1909, remembered that book ii of the preludes was greeted in britain with slight disappointment. Although the composer did not think the preludes should be performed as a cycle, book two is perfectly symmetrical with two showpieces at the start and end on the twelve pieces. In brouillards, the fog is depicted by the simultaneous use of whitenote and. Maybe debussy, who distrusted prolixity and technical brilliance, was saying. Poissons dor, from images, book ii free classical music. Wvk002 debussy preludes book 2 albums nativedsd music. Similarly, the great german pianist walter gieseking seemed to have dibs on the debussy preludes.
Claude debussys two books of preludes, implying homage to both chopin and bach, revel in the composers innovative piano techniques. Debussy preludes book 2, william fried piano on vimeo. Debussys literary inspirations were mostly french, but he did not overlook foreign writers. Complete preludes, books 1 and 2 dover music for piano. In these pages ill try to summarize what references i have on the performance of. Claude debussys preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. There are evocations of calm seascapes, delicate wind tracery, and snowcovered landscapes. Chandos records is one of the worlds premier classical music record companies, best known for its ground breaking search for neglected musical gems. Debussy preludes, bk 1 alfred masterwork edition paperback march 1, 1986 by claude debussy composer, maurice hinson composer. Sep 29, 2006 claudio arrau considered it to be one of debussys greatest preludes and said its miraculous that he created, in so few notes, this kind of depth. Book i was written between december 1909 and february 1910, and book ii between the last months of 1912 and early april 19. In 1872 he entered the paris conservatoire, where he abandoned the plan of becoming a virtuoso. Here he reaches between those two to tackle one of the pinnacles of the piano repertoire debussy s two books of preludes. The next two preludes take us abroad for the last time.
Among the most important 20th century composers, and the most influential. Brouillards is the first prelude in debussys second book of preludes and was completed at. Dovers book of debussy preludes is made of extremely high quality print on heavier paper than usual. Achilleclaude debussy august 22, 1862 march 25, 1918 was a french composer. Poissons dor, from images, book ii meiting sun piano. Buy debussy preludes for piano, orchestrated by colin matthews by halle orchestra.
With such puzzling questions in mind, i began my doctoral program of musical. The first thing to know about debussys symphonic poem prelude to the. Im only an amateur pianist, but have been playing debussys piano works since the late 70s. This piece is pure debussy a beautiful, quiet contemplative tone poem. Complete preludes, books 1 and 2 by claude debussy 1862. Claude debussy s preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. Debussy preludes book 2 free downloadable sheet music. This album contains the preludes, books 1 and 2 by debussy, presented by piano classics, a label of brilliant classics.
Each book contains twelve preludes for the piano, many of them known to todays musical audiences because of their great popularity with pianists worldwide. In book 1 he maintains the pianissimo marking of voiles bflat bass pedal point with remarkable consistency, providing a gentle anchor for the drifting whole. Along with maurice ravel, he is considered one of the most prominent figures working within the field of impressionist music, though he himself intensely disliked the term when applied to his compositions. The first book 1910 proved to be his most successful work. Claude debussy composed the second book of preludes during 1910 12. Debussy rather admired english sangfroid those were the days, but was not beyond giving it the occasional dig in the ribs, as here in his quotation of god save the king. Recorded live during the marion rubin berman 31 piano honors concert april 12, 2012 in necs jordan hall in boston. Among french musics most avantgarde expressions, they also contain some of debussys most atonal sorties. Often dubbed a musical impressionist, but his music always has a strong sense of form.
I provide the original scanned version and the filtered, because the filter does some changes smoothening, sharpening borders and some portions of the scan get lost sometimes when they are too small e. These compositions, while endearing themselves to both pianist and. This blog is dedicated to discussion of the performance of the piano pieces of claude debussy. Breiner for orchestra debussy completed his two books of preludes in 1910 and 19 respectively, and they contain some of his most visionary and poetic writing for piano. Soyoung choe performs excerpts from debussys preludes, book 1. Prelude and fugue in csharp minor bach preludes book 2 debussy preludes, opus 32 rachmaninoff by lawrence budmen while an entire concert of preludes may seem repetitive at first glance, the term had a very different meaning to various composers. P ierrelaurent aimards muchpublicised recent claim in an interview with a german newspaper that debussy is a. Gerald larner explains how debussy, by defying the rules of. These works have been central to stevens repertoire for many years and he brings them to the studio after. World wide shipping follow this free score follow debussy, claude. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude debussy. Here, in one volume, are two bodies of work that, perhaps more than any others, reveal the essence of claude debussys extraordinary expressiveness and his innovative gifts for musical imagery. I can do just as good a water nymph as you in fewer notes. Here, in one volume, are two bodies of work that, perhaps more than any others, reveal the essence of claude debussy s extraordinary expressiveness and his innovative gifts for musical imagery.
But with time, the attractions of book ii have become clearer, and it seems likely. Shop and buy complete preludes, books 1 and 2 sheet music. These compositions, while endearing themselves to both pianist and listener, also occupy an important place in musical. Unlike some notable collections of preludes from prior times, such as chopins op. Debussy himself is recording human experience, revealing veiled messages ranging from bemused comedy to the shards of a shattered universe. Debussys two books of preludes amount to a revolution in piano writing, and reflect better that any of his other works the span of debussys achievement. Commons is a freely licensed media file repository. The beams on even the 32nd notes are very easy to distinguish many printers do not get such a high resolution and the spaces between 2 or 3 beams are often poorly defined resulting in fat black patches instead of distinct lines. Debussy preludes for piano, orchestrated by colin matthews. Debussys piano pieces require deep thought and understanding. Ilya itin, piano this video was recorded at the golandsky institute international piano festival at princeton university. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude.
Claude debussy s painterly preludes the subtle, elusive quality of debussy s twentyfour preludes is captured perfectly by pianist paul jacobs, who plays them with a tolling, belllike sound. Stream adfree with amazon music unlimited on mobile, desktop, and tablet. While in an opera or ballet, a prelude may be a mood setting introduction to. In this piece, debussy creates an engaging sonic atmosphere with just the piano, one that, if you let it, will conjure up images and ideas. Databases and publications erasmus programme research service. Claudio arrau considered it to be one of debussys greatest preludes and said its miraculous that he created, in so few notes, this kind of depth.
Information from its description page there is shown below. Three years exist between the publication of the first and second book, with the former appearing in 1910. Some pedaling marks at the bottom if these pages were cut off. Jul 05, 2011 pianist imogen c ooper painted evocative sound pictures in a bbc radio 3 lunchtime recital featuring music by debussy, beethoven and chopin.
It is not necessary to be a virtuoso in order to play the notes of many of the pieces, but formidable technique and vision are required to create the colours and capture the changing moods. Like images book i, book ii begins with two slow movements. Debussys first public solo piano performance was not until age fifty, when he performed some of his preludes between 1911 and 19. The purpose of this thesis is to discuss and give a descriptive analysis of twelve of the twentyfour preludes written by claude debussy. Pianist imogen c ooper painted evocative sound pictures in a bbc radio 3 lunchtime recital featuring music by debussy, beethoven and chopin. Canope preludes, book ii, 19 playing debussys piano. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. His 193839 versions were staples of the 78 rpm catalog, as well as his 1951 and 1953 lp remakes. Debussy takes an ordinary moment, a cell of life, as in a hint at the marseillaise in the final prelude, and imbues it with a sense of eternity and otherworldly significance. This is debussy preludes book 2, william fried piano by creative performing arts channel on vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who. The preludes use postscripts rather than titles, and the etudes are labeled with practical description. But after world war ii the future was with boulez, whose creative interest in debussy.
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