Debussy preludes book 1 program notes henry

Canope preludes, book ii, 19 sep29 by steve bryson. My analysis of canope debussy preludes for piano, book. Debussy began book 1 in december 1909, finishing it 2 months later in. The paperback of the complete preludes, books 1 and 2. Sep 05, 2012 claudeachille debussy 1862 1918 preludes, livre 2 1. Chandos records is one of the worlds premier classical music record companies, best known for its ground breaking search for neglected musical gems. Aug 19, 2016 the composer who benefited most from this liberation was bartok, who was introduced to debussys music by kodaly in 1907. Fast passagework, arpeggios, lots of voices floating around, etc. Maybe debussy, who distrusted prolixity and technical brilliance, was saying. Apr 03, 2014 unlike previous collections of preludes, such as those of j. Complete preludes, books 1 and 2 dover music for piano debussy, claude on. Unlike some notable collections of preludes from prior times, such as chopins op.

It starts in a kind of medieval organum, with open chords and an. In french literary circles, the style of this period was known as symbolism, a movement that directly inspired debussy both as a composer and as an active cultural participant. Claude debussy s preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. Playing debussys piano works an amateurs thoughts about. Gifted from his early years with a preternatural and keen understanding of writing for the piano, this cd displays debussys prodigious gifts in full display as rendered by baldis sensitive playing. Canope preludes, book ii, 19 playing debussys piano works. 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. The pianist stephen hough celebrates debussys slipping, slinking, sparkling piano. 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.

Three years exist between the publication of the first and second book, with the former appearing in 1910. In these pages ill try to summarize what references i have on the performance of. Debussy rather admired english sangfroid again, those were the days, but was not beyond giving it the occasional dig in the ribs, as here in. But where bach and chopin used their preludes as something of a technical exercise, composing one for each musical key, debussys were freeform and full of his signature expressive indulgences. Order from your preferred classical music cd store arkivmusic. Standard notation, introductory text and performance notes does not include words to the songs. This blog is dedicated to discussion of the performance of the piano pieces of claude debussy.

Achilleclaude debussy 22nd august 1862 25th march 1918 was a french composer. Debussy preludes, bk 1 alfred masterwork edition debussy, claude, hinson, maurice on. 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. Maurice ravel orchestrated the middle movement regarded as debussys first mature piano. The works in debussys second book of preludes are similar in intent to those of book i 1907 1910. I personally find some of these easier on the eyes reading the notes than stuff like feuilles mortes, but technically, theyre more difficult. Canope preludes, book ii, 19 playing debussys piano. Well, debussy obviously agreed but that didnt stop him putting his own stamp on the genre. Bach and chopin, debussys do not follow a strict pattern of key signatures. Chandos records is one of the worlds premier classical music record companies, best known for. When i strike a chord on the piano, more is heard than those notes alone.

Debussys colouristic masterpiece, a bewitching compendium of scents, colours and sounds. 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. It is that, rather than their picturesque qualities, that changed history. He was one of the most important figures in music at the turn of the 20th century. Debussy s two sets of images, much like ravels miroirs, must count as one of the high pinnacles of pianowriting. A new album from marcandre hamelin is always cause for celebration. Claude debussys preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. 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. It consists of three individually composed movements, prelude, sarabande and toccata.

Debussys piano pieces require deep thought and understanding. While in an opera or ballet, a prelude may be a mood setting introduction to. This is a blog for staff and students in the composition program. Of debussy and ravel thesis presented to the graduate council of the north texas state teachers college in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of master of music by elizabeth rose jameson, b. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude debussy showing 14 of 68. The purpose of this thesis is to discuss and give a descriptive analysis of twelve of the twentyfour preludes written by claude debussy. Each book was written in a matter of months, at an. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude. There are evocations of calm seascapes, delicate wind tracery, and snowcovered landscapes. Debussy s colouristic masterpiece, a bewitching compendium of scents, colours and sounds.

My analysis of canope debussy preludes for piano, book ii. Several of them look ahead to debussys later style, in which the composers earlier impressionistic, almost romantic poetry was supplanted by a greater concentration upon technique and neoclassical objectivity. 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. Debussy preludes, book 1 by claude debussy 18621918. Adopting the major piano works including the preludes, bartok absorbed the liberated message as deeply as he absorbed the idiom of the hungarian peasant. Debussy completed his two books of preludes in 1910 and 19 respectively, and they contain some of his. See all formats and editions hide other formats and editions. The next two preludes take us abroad for the last time. Both books 1 and 2 of debussys popular piano preludes are contained in this one sturdy volume. 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. These compositions, while endearing themselves to both pianist and listener, also occupy an important place in musical.

Despite the research i have done regarding the title, the results i have found are still only speculation. 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. Not only is the title full of mystery, but the piece itself leaves the listener in awe and wonder. Here in his first debussy recording for hyperion he presents the two books of images. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude debussy showing 1 4 of 68. Also recorded here is the second book of preludes, in a poetic and evocative performance. The prismatic debussy eastman school of music university of. Mme debussy describes it as a visual evocation of the simple flowers of heather.

Unlike previous collections of preludes, such as those of j. Debussys most dramatic contribution to music history was his disregard for traditional chord structures and tonality. Debussy s music virtually defines the transition from lateromantic music to twentieth century modernist music. Standard notation, introductory text and performance notes does not include.

But where bach and chopin used their preludes as something of a technical exercise, composing one for each musical key, debussy s were freeform and full of his signature expressive indulgences. Debussy preludes, bk 1 alfred masterwork edition skip to main content. I can do just as good a water nymph as you in fewer notes. Bach and chopin, debussy s do not follow a strict pattern of key signatures. Debussys music virtually defines the transition from lateromantic music to twentieth century modernist music. Complete preludes, books 1 and 2 dover music for piano. Jun 18, 2010 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. As for his piano compositions, after he completed the second book of preludes the only. One pleasure of staying with friends is to explore their collections of books and recordings.

Im only an amateur pianist, but have been playing debussys piano works since the late 70s. 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. It is quite hard for me to describe just how beautiful this music is, i think i lack the english vocabulary to do so, or perhaps it is an example of music being music. The notes are by roger nichols, whose writings on french music are.

Here he reaches between those two to tackle one of the pinnacles of the piano repertoiredebussys two books of preludes. Sep 29, 2009 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. Sep 29, 2006 this piece is pure debussy a beautiful, quiet contemplative tone poem. Preludes in totaal 24 composities, boek1 en 2 191019. Suggesting sailing boats anchored to a fixed pedalpoint, this prelude is a brilliant example of the composers use of the.

While the solo piano version of debussys preludes will always remain fundamental to. The form of the keyboard prelude research online uow. Debussy preludes, bk 1 alfred masterwork edition paperback march 1, 1986. 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. Im only an amateur pianist, but have been playing debussy s piano works since the late 70s. This paper also includes a brief history of preludes as well as possible influences upon debussy and his compositions.