A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude debussy. Chandos records is one of the worlds premier classical music record companies, best known for. 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. The purpose of this thesis is to discuss and give a descriptive analysis of twelve of the twentyfour preludes written by claude debussy. I was just wondering, can anyone sort them out in order of difficulty from easiest to hardest. Similarly, the great german pianist walter gieseking seemed to have dibs on the debussy preludes. After all, arturo benedetti michelangelis 70s recordings of debussys images and preludes, book 1, were hailed in their time as revolutionary, masterly, and uniquely compelling, and the encomiums have kept on through every subsequent rerelease. The first complete recording of both sets was made in england in by the south african pianist adolph hallis. There is a strong tonal relationship between the preludes that suggests that the published order of the preludes is not arbitrary. My personal journey through the 24 debussy preludes. There are evocations of calm seascapes, delicate wind tracery, and snowcovered landscapes. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude. Debussys colouristic masterpiece, a bewitching compendium of scents, colours and sounds. His 193839 versions were staples of the 78 rpm catalog, as well as his 1951 and 1953 lp remakes.
These works have been central to stevens repertoire for many years and he brings them to the studio after. Scores at the international music score library project imslp. Both books 1 and 2 of debussys popular piano preludes are contained in this one sturdy volume. Debussys music virtually defines the transition from lateromantic music to twentieth century modernist music. Canope one temporal sequencing characteristic that is common throughout debussys music is the immediate repetition of a short phrase either exactly.
Two excerpts from the emperor concerto, showing beethovens use of uneven groups of notes. Starry night opens with worldly estampes prints 1903, which contains three movements. Book i was composed in a short time between december 1909 and february 1910. The paperback of the complete preludes, books 1 and 2. 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. Each book was written in a matter of months, at an. 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. Bach and chopin, debussy s do not follow a strict pattern of key signatures.
Unlike some notable collections of preludes from prior times, such as chopins op. Here in his first debussy recording for hyperion he presents the two books of images. Apr 03, 2014 unlike previous collections of preludes, such as those of j. The late mary antonietti, a pianist and cousin of gustav holst who met debussy when he came to london in 1909, remembered that book ii of the preludes was greeted in britain with slight disappointment. These compositions, while endearing themselves to both pianist and listener, also occupy an important place in musical. Bach and chopin, debussys do not follow a strict pattern of key signatures. 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. The playing is immaculate, the command of keyboard colour and texture imperious. Publication date 1910 topics preludes, for piano, scores featuring the piano, for 1 player collection imslp. Free sheet music l 117, debussy, claude preludes, book 1. Preludes by claude debussy compositions compositions.
Orchestral reimaginings of debussys piano pieces which are entertaining, intriguing and very satisfying. 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. This was the first collection of debussy s preludes i ever owned and i have yet to hear another that surpasses it. Debussy, claude world free sheet music pdf, midi, mp3. One only prays and hopes that the rest of debussy s 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. 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. Among the most important 20th century composers, and the most influential. Claude debussys preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. In this 2005 rerelease on deutsche grammophons originals series. 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.
Debussy preludes, book 1 download free sheet music. 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. Each book was written in a matter of months, at an unusually fast pace for debussy. The esoteric style of writing in both books was in accordance with the nature of yogic study. Chandos records is one of the worlds premier classical music record companies, best known for its ground breaking search for neglected musical gems. 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.
Unlike previous collections of preludes, such as those of j. 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. Three years exist between the publication of the first and second book, with the former appearing in 1910. Publication date 1910 topics preludes, for piano, scores featuring the piano. 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. This paper also includes a brief history of preludes as well as possible influences upon debussy and his compositions. The present release in emis great recordings of the century series marks the third time giesekings 1953 versions are reissued on cd. I was very taken indeed with that disc so im delighted that the remainder of the.
Debussy took great care in assigning these titles, and several contain quotations from various poems. Wvk001 debussy preludes book 1 albums wave kinetics. Often dubbed a musical impressionist, but his music always has a strong sense of form. Douze etudes by claude debussy a pianists view helda. Aug 19, 2016 debussy did nothing less than liberate music from the domination by functional harmony which had prevailed for three centuries. Debussy preludes, book 1 by claude debussy 18621918. Debussys preludes demand a great deal from pianists. As for his piano compositions, after he completed the second book of preludes the only. Some pedaling marks at the bottom if these pages were cut off. Recorded live during the marion rubin berman 31 piano honors concert april 12, 2012 in necs jordan hall in boston. 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. Claude debussy, preludes, book i debussys preludes are divided into two parts. That this was general we can to some extent see from the sales figures quoted by roy howat. Unlike other collections of preludes by great composers, debussy s do not follow a strict pattern of key signature.
Debussy in the french seaside town of pourville, where he composed the douze etudes. 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. He has, in this sense, imbibed much of oussets force and clarity, if also her literalism. Les sons et les parfums tournent dans lair du soir the sounds and fragrances swirl through the evening air. Claude debussy preludes, book i amazon web services. He was too good a composer to imitate debussy, although there are a few examples of direct influence it. Claude debussys preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes. Preludes books 1 and 2 paperback april 1, 1999 by claude debussy composer 4. Soyoung choe performs excerpts from debussys preludes, book 1. Claude debussy s preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. Throughout his career debussy sought new ways to express his musical vistas. Preludes, book 1 6 epigraphes antiques en blanc et noir robert and gaby casadesus 1956 ns 0105. 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.
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