The works in debussys second book of preludes are similar in intent to those of book i 1907 1910. Canope preludes, book ii, 19 playing debussys piano. Unlike some notable collections of preludes from prior times, such as chopins op. Chandos records is one of the worlds premier classical music record companies, best known for its ground breaking search for neglected musical gems. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude debussy showing 14 of 68 pages in this thesis.
Claude debussy s preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. Jan 01, 2009 dovers book of debussy preludes is made of extremely high quality print on heavier paper than usual. Playing debussys piano works an amateurs thoughts about. Het programma op 16 april is haar dan ook op het lijf geschreven. A recording of the preludes, by artisteditor brian ganz, is.
Another critic wrote that book 2 of the preludes is played more successfully than book 1. 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. Aug 19, 2016 the composer who benefited most from this liberation was bartok, who was introduced to debussys music by kodaly in 1907. He was too good a composer to imitate debussy, although there are a few. This paper also includes a brief history of preludes as well as possible influences upon debussy and his compositions. Here in his first debussy recording for hyperion he presents the two books of images. Ilya itin, piano this video was recorded at the golandsky institute international piano festival at princeton university. Hamelins stature, extraordinary from the start, increases with every new issue. The composer who benefited most from this liberation was bartok, who was introduced to debussy s music by kodaly in 1907. The twentyfour preludes of debussy are published in two books of twelve preludes each.
These beautiful french works are a must for all pianists. 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. While in an opera or ballet, a prelude may be a mood setting introduction to. Les sons et les parfums tournent dans lair du soir modere 3. 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.
Information from its description page there is shown below. Among the most important 20th century composers, and the most influential. 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. General performance notes on the preludes and more detailed, individual notes for preludes nos. It helps that we have a stellar teacher, of course, but this is really a terrific book. These compositions, while endearing themselves to both pianist and listener, also occupy an important place in musical. The one clear fault of the osborne recording is dynamic extremes, which is, i assume, an engineering decision. Puck is shakespeares elf, in all likelihood found by debussy, as roy howat has suggested, in an edition of 1908 with illustrations by arthur rackham. Ilya itin, piano this video was recorded at the golandsky institute international piano festival at. My mom who went through years of piano lessons with 5 kids heard my sixyearold play last week and couldnt believe it. The piano pronto book is exactly what they needed for their best start with the piano. Brouillards is the first prelude in debussys second book of preludes and was completed at. Debussys preludes demand a great deal from pianists.
Often dubbed a musical impressionist, but his music always has a strong sense of form. The paperback of the complete preludes, books 1 and 2. Im only an amateur pianist, but have been playing debussys piano works since the late 70s. Marcandre hamelin performs complete book 2 of debussys.
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. The music becomes more dramatic toward the end of the set. 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. Hiroko sasakis performances, on an immaculately restored piano from 1873. Debussys piano pieces require deep thought and understanding. Sep 29, 2006 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. The purpose of this thesis is to discuss and give a descriptive analysis of twelve of the twentyfour preludes written by claude debussy. Debussy preludes, book 1 by claude debussy 18621918. The sheer volume of piano tone pulled from the instrument on the. Complete your claude debussy paul jacobs collection.
A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude. For his sun oct 6 performance, our guest curator marcandre hamelin will end the concert with the complete debussy preludes book 2 unlike some notable collections of preludes from prior times, such as chopins op. Claude debussys preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. A new album from marcandre hamelin is always cause for celebration. 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. Stravinskys influence is amply apparent in the barbarous repetitive rhythms that open the first movement prelude. He was too good a composer to imitate debussy, although there are a few examples of direct influence it was. Jul 05, 2011 every part of conductors life is challenging. Standard notation, introductory text and performance notes does not include words to the songs.
Book i was written between december 1909 and february 1910, and book ii between the last months of 1912 and early april. Dovers book of debussy preludes is made of extremely high quality print on heavier paper than usual. In these pages ill try to summarize what references i have on the performance of. Also recorded here is the second book of preludes, in a poetic and evocative performance. In brouillards, the fog is depicted by the simultaneous use of whitenote and. Im only an amateur pianist, but have been playing debussy s piano works since the late 70s. 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. The two final preludes of book i are more lighthearted. Canope preludes, book ii, 19 playing debussys piano works. They require attention to myriad details, yet an air of often skittish improvisation. A recording of the preludes, by artisteditor brian ganz, is also included with the print edition. 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.
In 1872 he entered the paris conservatoire, where he abandoned the plan of becoming a virtuoso. The first book 1910 proved to be his most successful work. Commons is a freely licensed media file repository. Claudio arrau considered it to be one of debussy s greatest preludes and said its miraculous that he created, in so few notes, this kind of depth.
Pucks aerial acrobatics are first interrupted by and then blended with trumpet and horn calls. This disc is roges first complete recording of the preludes i presume from the liner notes that he had recorded a selection in the analogue era and that this marks the start of a complete debussy cycle. Claude debussy composed the second book of preludes during 1910 12. Debussy s colouristic masterpiece, a bewitching compendium of scents, colours and sounds.
These two are the only pianists whom i have heard play this measure this way. It sounds reasonable, but its not whats on the page, and both play it as quarters when the theme recurs later in the prelude. From the enormity of the repertoire to the geography and travel. The three quarter notes in 68 time are played as three eighth notes in 38 time. 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. This blog is dedicated to discussion of the performance of the piano pieces of claude debussy. Some pedaling marks at the bottom if these pages were cut off. Both books 1 and 2 of debussys popular piano preludes are contained in this one sturdy volume. Adopting the major piano works including the preludes, bartok absorbed the liberated message as deeply as he absorbed the idiom of the hungarian peasant. But with time, the attractions of book ii have become clearer, and it seems likely. Three years exist between the publication of the first and second book, with the former appearing in 1910. Preludes ii, l1 debussy from cda67920 hyperion records. 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.