Claude debussys preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. Often dubbed a musical impressionist, but his music always has a strong sense of form. Chandos records is one of the worlds premier classical music record companies, best known for its ground breaking search for neglected musical gems. The first book of preludes is slightly easier than the second, since the second collection features debussy s more mature writing style. Complete your debussy, walter gieseking collection. Is there a general guide to the difficulty of the debussy preludes. Book i was written between december 1909 and february 1910, and book ii. One of the easiest pieces in this collection is the girl with the flaxen hair, around a. 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. There are evocations of calm seascapes, delicate wind tracery, and snowcovered landscapes. Preludes, book 1 6 epigraphes antiques en blanc et noir robert and gaby casadesus 1956 ns 0105. Measures 7 and 8 set the motive and 9 and 10 are just a repetition. The paperback of the complete preludes, books 1 and 2.
This paper also includes a brief history of preludes as well as possible influences upon debussy and his compositions. Order from your preferred classical music cd store arkivmusic. The first book 1910 proved to be his most successful work. The pianist sandro baldi presents these seminal piano works of debussy and the release includes two different periods in debussys development. They are abrsm grades, but not all the preludes, only the easiestmost approachable ones. They require attention to myriad details, yet an air of often skittish improvisation. Book awards book club selections books by author books by series coming soon kids books new releases teens books this months biggest new releases. 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. Debussy preludes, book 1 by claude debussy 18621918. Among the most important 20th century composers, and the most influential. 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 kind of meet in the middle. 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. 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. Information from its description page there is shown below.
Unlike some notable collections of preludes from prior times, such as chopins op. Krystian zimerman, piano youtube preludes complete 24 claude debussy krystian zimerman duration. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude. 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 impressionism alternates brilliant flashes of light with fading, smoldering remains to depict fireworks. Complete preludes, books 1 and 2 dover music for piano debussy, claude on. A thoughtful note by the german writer in dgs booklet reminds us that debussy wasnt in favour of performing each book in its entirety, 12 pieces at a time.
Debussy, walter gieseking preludes book ii discogs. I confess that when i first listened to michelangeli in book 2 not a thought crossed my mind about doing them any other way. The music becomes more dramatic toward the end of the set. 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. My analysis of canope debussy preludes for piano, book ii. The easiest debussy piano pieces and the most difficult. Debussy preludes, bk 1 by claude debussy, paperback.
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. 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. Despite the research i have done regarding the title, the results i have found are still only speculation. Claude debussy paul jacobs 3 preludes for piano books. The first episode, measures 7 11, begins in the key of d. Ilya itin, piano this video was recorded at the golandsky institute international piano festival at princeton university. Again, debussy gave a preliminary taster, performing the first three pieces on 5 march that is, before publication, and certainly all but no 11 were heard by the end of the year. Sep 20, 2009 that is what was produced whenever the master pianist, michelangeli, sat down at a piano to play debussy, as he did here in the complete cycle of debussy s preludes, book livre 1, a group of. Again, debussy gave a preliminary taster, performing the first three pieces on 5 march that is, before publication, and certainly all but no 11. Ilya itin, piano this video was recorded at the golandsky institute international piano festival at.
What debussy was doing in the preludes and earlier works with a similar inspiration. These compositions, while endearing themselves to both. 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. The first more youthful and still imbued with a certain romanticism in some aspects. Debussy preludes book 2 this page lists all recordings of preludes book 2 by claude achille debussy 18621918. It is no surprise that debussy would be cap tivated by. Publication date 19 topics preludes, for piano, scores featuring the piano, for 1 player collection imslp. 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.
Maybe i am a lazy pianist but i like editions that have some fingering suggestions so i dont have so much work to do. Debussy considered both impressionism and symbolism terms of abuse. Complete preludes, books 1 and 2 dover music for piano. The girl with the flaxen hair is one of debussys more popular preludes. Debussys first public solo piano performance was not until age fifty, when he performed some of his preludes between 1911 and 19. Each episode is separated by its own unique melody and rhythm. The purpose of this thesis is to discuss and give a descriptive analysis of twelve of the twentyfour preludes written by claude debussy. I have one other schirmer debussy piano book and this compilation book was what led me to purchase this set of preludes.
Commons is a freely licensed media file repository. Media in category preludes by claude debussy the following 28 files are in this category, out of 28 total. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude debussy. By the time he began writing the first book of preludes, claude debussy had established himself as an important and prolific composer having already. 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. Debussys preludes demand a great deal from pianists. Book awards book club selections books by author books by. Record in near mint condition and jacket in excellent condition.
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