When we were playing schumann fantasiestuck opus 73 no. There is no proof that debussy necessarily intended the preludes to be performed as a cycle, although the musical language throughout each book is so consistent that performers often do so. Topflight debussy preludes march 23, 2019 by joseph f. Debussy played nos 1, 2, 10 and 11 at a concert on 5 may and we know that all of them, apart possibly from no 7, were heard in paris over the next ten months. Complete preludes, books 1 and 2 dover music for piano claude debussy. Evolving performance practice of debussys piano preludes. 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. Like book 1, each piece was composed with the intention of being an individual piece, representing a visual.
This blog is dedicated to discussion of the performance of the piano pieces of claude debussy. Orchestral reimaginings of debussys piano pieces which are entertaining, intriguing and very satisfying. Often dubbed a musical impressionist, but his music always has a strong sense of form. I had not heard any of these pieces until i purchased this set, but all are wonderful. Debussy preludes, book 1 by claude debussy 18621918. Soyoung choe performs excerpts from debussys preludes, book 1. I enjoy playing them, ive got them firmly in my fingers, but i feel no need to record them. After sonatas by beethoven and chopin, a disc of schumann and magisterial accounts of the two brahms piano concertos comes this recital of debussy centred on the first book of preludes. Some pedaling marks at the bottom if these pages were cut off. One of debussy s 24 preludes is from book 1, prelude 12, also known as minstrels. I bought these recently on cd, because i gave away my lps when i moved into a manhattan apartment. I have one other schirmer debussy piano book and this compilation book was what led me to purchase this set of preludes. See all 9 formats and editions hide other formats and editions.
Despite the research i have done regarding the title, the results i have found are still only speculation. Not only is the title full of mystery, but the piece. The sound of the preludes, book1 is less satisfactory the piano seems closer and the sound can get a bit glassy. From the delphic dancers of the first prelude to the explosive fireworks that end the second book, each debussy prelude immerses us in a separate and distinct world. My analysis of canope debussy preludes for piano, book. Preludes, book 1 6 epigraphes antiques en blanc et noir robert and gaby casadesus 1956 ns 0105.
The first book 1910 proved to be his most successful work. Among the most important 20th century composers, and the most influential. This project aims to facilitate the learning process of the preludes for piano by. Claude debussy s preludes are two sets of pieces for solo piano, written in 1910 10 and 1912, and published as book i and ii respectively. The purpose of this thesis is to discuss and give a descriptive analysis of twelve of the twentyfour preludes written by claude debussy. Complete preludes, books 1 and 2 dover music for piano paperback april 1, 1989 by claude debussy author 4. He felt no overwhelming need to do so, but a desire to record them gradually imposed itself upon him. Complete preludes, books 1 and 2 dover music for piano. Unlike other collections of preludes by great composers, debussy s do not follow a strict pattern of key signature. He was too good a composer to imitate debussy, although there are a few. Unlike some notable collections of preludes from prior times, such as chopins op.
Ive learned to be careful about pronouncing a performance as definitive. Musical analysis as a technique for performance decisions in. Like vladimir horowitz and glenn gould, michelangeli employs a relatively flatfingered technique for sustained legato passages and certain rotary arpeggios such as those in ce qua vu le vent douest. While the solo piano version of debussys preludes will always.
They were composed and published in two books of twelve. Debussys piano pieces require deep thought and understanding. In these pages ill try to summarize what references i have on the performance of. 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. Claude debussy s preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. No complaints about any of this cd, for that matter. But the piano playing is superbly brilliant and precise, and the more energetic pieces, like no. My personal journey through the 24 debussy preludes. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Another critic wrote that book 2 of the preludes is played more successfully than book 1. There are evocations of calm seascapes, delicate wind tracery, and snowcovered landscapes. As he plays debussys book 1 preludes, you notice how effortlessly his arms, hands, and fingers are choreographed to the music. The paperback of the complete preludes, books 1 and 2.
Order from your preferred classical music cd store arkivmusic. Our fingers exist to recreate this marvellous realm of fancy. Im only an amateur pianist, but have been playing debussys piano works since the late 70s. The game was originally planned to not have any music in the game until the games composer, dan golding.
Debussy preludes, book 1 download free sheet music. This album contains the preludes, books 1 and 2 by debussy, presented by piano classics, a label of brilliant classics. Publication date 1910 topics preludes, for piano, scores featuring the piano, for 1 player collection imslp. Minstrels youtube the transformative power of classical music benjamin zander. There is no proof that debussy necessarily intended the preludes to be performed as a cycle, although the. Recorded live during the marion rubin berman 31 piano honors concert april 12, 2012 in necs jordan hall in boston.
This paper also includes a brief history of preludes as well as possible influences upon debussy and his compositions. The girl with the flaxen hair is almost a plain jane here, and the sounds and scents of the evening scarcely linger as impalpable impressions. Maybe i am a lazy pianist but i like editions that have some fingering suggestions so i dont have so. Dates for book ii are harder to come by, but the volume was published almost exactly three years after the first, on 19 april 19.
According to oxford music online, he started composing the first book of preludes in the late months of 1909, during his travels in britain, and completed. Debussy preludes, bk 1 by claude debussy, paperback. Preludes, book 2 another collection of 12 pieces composed as tone poems. The esoteric style of writing in both books was in accordance with the nature of. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude.
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