Claude debussy h18621918 by the time he began writing the first book of preludes, claude debussy had established himself as an important and prolific composer having already produced most of the works that history would label masterpieces. Some pedaling marks at the bottom if these pages were cut off. Although you wont find krystian zimermans ultrarefined fingerwork and wide dynamic range, nor paul jacobs linear perception, theres much to. Claude debussy composed his two books of preludes between late 1909 and early 19. These works have been central to stevens repertoire for many years and he brings them to the. Debussys canope as narrative form college music symposium. The music expresses a vast repertoire of emotions, colors and moods. 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. 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. The piano quivers and trembles under his thunderous assault, but his sensitivity is also superb. 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. Debussys preludes book one, 1910, book two, 19 are historically. Soyoung choe performs excerpts from debussy s preludes, book 1. Nov 01, 2017 the washington post wrote that pianist marcandre hamelins technical facility is breathtaking.
The composer who benefited most from this liberation was bartok, who was introduced to debussy s music by kodaly in 1907. This significant compilation of 12 preludes represents debussy s mature writing style and is filled with a great diversity of compositional styles. Soyoung choe performs excerpts from debussys preludes, book 1. Canope, the tenth prelude in book 2, though lightly regarded by. Preludes, book ialfred cortot, pianohmv 78rpm discs 9578 9582 14267 14756recorded in 193031digital transfer by f. They are divided into two separate livres, or books, of twelve preludes each. 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.
He was too good a composer to imitate debussy, although there are a few examples of direct influence it was. Pascal roge recorded debussys preludes book 1 for decca some time ago, and he has remade them, together with book 2, marking the start of a complete cycle of this composers piano works. Debussys wide terms of extramusical association appear again in les fees sont dexquises danseuses the fairies are exquisite dancers, its title apparently quoted from j. Breiner by royal scottish national orchestra on amazon music.
I was just wondering, can anyone sort them out in order of difficulty from easiest to hardest. These compositions, while endearing themselves to both pianist and listener, also occupy an important place in musical. A new album from marcandre hamelin is always cause for celebration. Debussy preludes, book 1 by claude debussy 18621918. Publication date 1910 topics preludes, for piano, scores featuring the piano. Dans le vieu parc, solitaire et glace deux formes ont tout a iheure passe in the old park, lonely. Images usually pronounced in french is a suite of six compositions for solo piano by claude debussy. As he plays debussys book 1 preludes, you notice how effortlessly his arms, hands, and fingers are choreographed to the music. They were published in two books series, each consisting of three pieces.
Dovers book of debussy preludes is made of extremely high quality print on heavier paper than usual. I have recently been listening repeatedly to samples of pascal roges latest recording of debussy s preludes, and i must say i like what ive heard. Apr 03, 2014 unlike previous collections of preludes, such as those of j. In writing preludes, claude debussy continues the natural evolution of this form. Each book was written in a matter of months, at an. Unlike some notable collections of preludes from prior times, such as chopins op. There are evocations of calm seascapes, delicate wind tracery, and snowcovered landscapes. Also recorded here is the second book of preludes, in a poetic and evocative performance. Achilleclaude debussy august 22, 1862 march 25, 1918 was a french composer. Unlike previous collections of preludes, such as those of j. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. A novelty about these preludes is that the titles are not printed as a header above the first page, but as a footer on the last page, almost like an afterthought, suggesting that the title is inspired by the music and not the other way around.
These works are distinct from debussy s images pour orchestre. The works in debussys second book of preludes are similar in intent to those of book i 1907 1910. Debussy embraces the style of a tarantella, the national dance, which is first. Depending on the nature of the narrative, the climax might be a moment of crisis, an. Debussys notated rhythms, always because of the natural stress of the language. Musical analysis as a technique for performance decisions in. Bach and chopin, debussy s do not follow a strict pattern of key signatures. Three years exist between the publication of the first and second book, with the former appearing in 1910. Debussys twentyfour preludes are among the composers last and best known works for piano. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude. Jan 20, 2006 ok, after using about pages of paper printing book 1 and 2 of preludes by debussy did that in school, hehe, 24 preludes in total. Here he reaches between those two to tackle one of the pinnacles of the piano repertoiredebussys two books of preludes.
As for his piano compositions, after he completed the second book of preludes the only. Debussy preludes book 2 free downloadable sheet music. Aug 19, 2016 the composer who benefited most from this liberation was bartok, who was introduced to debussys music by kodaly in 1907. Barries peter pan in kensington, a book given to debussys daughter emmaclaude, known as chouchou, with illustrations by arthur rackham. The first book was composed between 1901 and 1905, and the second book was composed in 1907. As a composer debussy must be regarded as one of the most important and influential. 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. This paper also includes a brief history of preludes as well as possible influences upon debussy and his compositions. The purpose of this thesis is to discuss and give a descriptive analysis of twelve of the twentyfour preludes written by claude debussy. 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. Debussy preludes, bk 1 by claude debussy, paperback. These qualities are at the fore in a program that explores the hazy harmonies and delicate timbres of debussy, the power and poetry of liszt, and music by other master pianistcomposers. They were published in two booksseries, each consisting of three pieces. Born in saintgermainenlaye, france, in 1862, claude debussy was the.
Recorded live during the marion rubin berman 31 piano honors concert april 12, 2012 in necs jordan hall in boston. Provided to youtube by universal music group debussy. Adopting the major piano works including the preludes, bartok absorbed the liberated message as deeply as he absorbed the idiom of the hungarian peasant. Claude debussys preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. Claude debussy, arturo benedetti michelangeli debussy. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude debussy. Claude debussys twentyfour preludes are among the composers. Each book contains twelve preludes for the piano, many of them known to todays musical audiences because of their great popularity with pianists worldwide. Both books 1 and 2 of debussys popular piano preludes are contained in this one sturdy volume.
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