These compositions, while endearing themselves to both pianist and listener, also occupy an important place in musical. He was too good a composer to imitate debussy, although there are a few. But there is too little mystery and confidentiality in those preludes where debussy demands stillness rather than hyperactivity, a touch of mystery and enigma rather than exultance. Complete preludes, books 1 and 2 dover music for piano claude debussy. Debussy dover music for piano by debussy, claude isbn. As for his piano compositions, after he completed the second book of preludes the only. Debussy considered both impressionism and symbolism terms of abuse. This blog is dedicated to discussion of the performance of the piano pieces of claude debussy.
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. 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. The paperback of the complete preludes, books 1 and 2. Claude debussys preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. Chandos records is one of the worlds premier classical music record companies, best known for its ground breaking search for neglected musical gems. Walter giesekings famous set is the exemplar of this no foreground. Debussys most dramatic contribution to music history was his disregard for traditional chord structures and tonality. Some pedaling marks at the bottom if these pages were cut off. They are abrsm grades, but not all the preludes, only the easiestmost approachable ones. Among the most important 20th century composers, and the most influential. 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. He was one of the most important figures in music at the turn of the 20th century.
Orchestral reimaginings of debussys piano pieces which are entertaining, intriguing and very satisfying. 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. Here in his first debussy recording for hyperion he presents the two books of images. 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.
Often dubbed a musical impressionist, but his music always has a strong sense of form. One of the easiest pieces in this collection is the girl with the flaxen hair, around a. Preludes, book 1 6 epigraphes antiques en blanc et noir robert and gaby casadesus 1956 ns 0105. His readings of the first book of preludes, and the first set of images is going to be much, much, much more than soothing pastel background music listening. Im aiming to get through them over the next couple of years, but would like to start with the easiest few and work my way up, while also bubbling along with any that are crazy difficult so that i spend more time overall on them, and then. In these pages ill try to summarize what references i have on the performance of.
The works in debussys second book of preludes are similar in intent to those of book i 1907 1910. I was very taken indeed with that disc so im delighted that the remainder of. Welcome to the daily download, a handpicked, free, downloadable piece of classical music available every weekday. 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. Achilleclaude debussy 22nd august 1862 25th march 1918 was a french composer. Complete preludes, books 1 and 2 dover music for piano debussy.
They require attention to myriad details, yet an air of often skittish improvisation. 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. One only prays and hopes that the rest of debussys piano music is somewhere in the near future, probably along with at least the core ravel piano works if not all the ravel piano music. 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. Debussys music virtually defines the transition from lateromantic music to twentieth century modernist music. Playing debussys piano works an amateurs thoughts about. Claude debussy s preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. I have one other schirmer debussy piano book and this compilation book was what led me to purchase this set of preludes. The paradox is that debussy succeeded in a series of piano works starting with estampes in 1903 and culminating in the two books of preludes in 1910 and 1912 respectively in creating what can only be called an. Three years exist between the publication of the first and second book, with the former appearing in 1910. Soyoung choe performs excerpts from debussys preludes, book 1.
Debussys piano pieces require deep thought and understanding. By contrast, the pianists decisive, angular approach to no. The first book of preludes is slightly easier than the second, since the second collection features debussy s more mature writing style. P ierrelaurent aimards muchpublicised recent claim in an interview with a german newspaper that debussy is a greater composer than wagner is by no. Theyre both still quite the challenge for advanced players only. Order from your preferred classical music cd store arkivmusic.
Maybe i am a lazy pianist but i like editions that have some fingering suggestions so i dont have so. Jan 31, 2018 listen claude debussy preludes, book 1. There are evocations of calm seascapes, delicate wind tracery, and snowcovered landscapes. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude debussy. Ilya itin, piano this video was recorded at the golandsky institute international piano festival at. Jan 22, 2009 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. Both books 1 and 2 of debussys popular piano preludes are contained in this one sturdy volume. Maurizio pollinis main qualities as an artist are neither humor nor abundance of keyboard color. Achilleclaude debussy august 22, 1862 march 25, 1918 was a french composer.
Im only an amateur pianist, but have been playing debussys piano works since the late 70s. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude debussy showing 14 of 68. 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. This paper also includes a brief history of preludes as well as possible influences upon debussy and his compositions.
In book 1 much forethought and care seems to inform the weighing and timing of no. Debussy preludes, book 1 download free sheet music. 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. Order of difficulty of debussy preludes is there a general guide to the difficulty of the debussy preludes. Also recorded here is the second book of preludes, in a poetic and evocative performance. Typically delivered to united states in 36 business days. I was just wondering, can anyone sort them out in order of difficulty from easiest to hardest. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude. 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. Claude debussy had been toying with the idea of writing a book of preludes for some time, and once he.
Unlike other collections of preludes by great composers, debussy s do not follow a strict pattern of key signature. A new album from marcandre hamelin is always cause for celebration. Claude debussy s preludes are two sets of pieces for solo piano, written in 191010 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. Music for relaxation, reliance and relief 10,415,940 views 1. Debussys colouristic masterpiece, a bewitching compendium of scents, colours and sounds. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
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. Now, these happen to be among the requisites necessary to play debussys preludes in the right frame of mind lets not speak about that woolly notion called style. Complete preludes, books 1 and 2 dover music for piano. This book is no different than any other music book as far a keeping it open at the. 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. The same can be said for his debussy preludes, although some selections succeed more than others. Unlike some notable collections of preludes from prior times, such as chopins op. Publication date 1910 topics preludes, for piano, scores featuring the piano, for 1 player collection imslp. One of debussy s 24 preludes is from book 1, prelude 12, also known as minstrels. The game was originally planned to not have any music in the game until the games composer, dan golding. Recorded live during the marion rubin berman 31 piano honors concert april 12, 2012 in necs jordan hall in boston. Preludes books 1 and 2 paperback april 1, 1999 by claude debussy composer 4. Publication date 1910 topics preludes, for piano, scores featuring the piano, for 1 player collection.