This paper also includes a brief history of preludes as well as possible influences upon debussy and his compositions. 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 began book 1 in december 1909, finishing it 2 months later in. Debussy preludes, bk 1 alfred masterwork edition debussy, claude, hinson, maurice on. It starts in a kind of medieval organum, with open chords and an. Debussy preludes, book 1 by claude debussy 18621918. He was one of the most important figures in music at the turn of the 20th century. I can do just as good a water nymph as you in fewer notes. 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. 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. Debussys music virtually defines the transition from lateromantic music to twentieth century modernist music.
Complete preludes, books 1 and 2 dover music for piano debussy, claude on. Claude debussy s preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. 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. Preludes in totaal 24 composities, boek1 en 2 191019. Not only is the title full of mystery, but the piece itself leaves the listener in awe and wonder. Maurice ravel orchestrated the middle movement regarded as debussys first mature piano. My analysis of canope debussy preludes for piano, book. Complete preludes, books 1 and 2 dover music for piano. Bach and chopin, debussy s do not follow a strict pattern of key signatures.
As for his piano compositions, after he completed the second book of preludes the only. Here in his first debussy recording for hyperion he presents the two books of images. Debussy s music virtually defines the transition from lateromantic music to twentieth century modernist music. 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. Suggesting sailing boats anchored to a fixed pedalpoint, this prelude is a brilliant example of the composers use of the. 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. My analysis of canope debussy preludes for piano, book ii.
Aug 19, 2016 the composer who benefited most from this liberation was bartok, who was introduced to debussys music by kodaly in 1907. The works in debussys second book of preludes are similar in intent to those of book i 1907 1910. Order from your preferred classical music cd store arkivmusic. Im only an amateur pianist, but have been playing debussy s 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.
Debussy preludes, bk 1 alfred masterwork edition skip to main content. There are evocations of calm seascapes, delicate wind tracery, and snowcovered landscapes. Unlike previous collections of preludes, such as those of j. Unlike some notable collections of preludes from prior times, such as chopins op. 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 s two sets of images, much like ravels miroirs, must count as one of the high pinnacles of pianowriting.
Chandos records is one of the worlds premier classical music record companies, best known for its ground breaking search for neglected musical gems. In these pages ill try to summarize what references i have on the performance of. 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. When i strike a chord on the piano, more is heard than those notes alone. Despite the research i have done regarding the title, the results i have found are still only speculation. Adopting the major piano works including the preludes, bartok absorbed the liberated message as deeply as he absorbed the idiom of the hungarian peasant. Chandos records is one of the worlds premier classical music record companies, best known for. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude debussy showing 1 4 of 68. See all formats and editions hide other formats and editions.
Standard notation, introductory text and performance notes does not include words to the songs. Maybe debussy, who distrusted prolixity and technical brilliance, was saying. Three years exist between the publication of the first and second book, with the former appearing in 1910. Standard notation, introductory text and performance notes does not include. 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. While the solo piano version of debussys preludes will always remain fundamental to. 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. Debussy preludes, bk 1 alfred masterwork edition paperback march 1, 1986. The form of the keyboard prelude research online uow. The paperback of the complete preludes, books 1 and 2.
The purpose of this thesis is to discuss and give a descriptive analysis of twelve of the twentyfour preludes written by claude debussy. Canope preludes, book ii, 19 playing debussys piano works. 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. Here he reaches between those two to tackle one of the pinnacles of the piano repertoiredebussys two books of preludes. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude debussy showing 14 of 68. 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. Debussy s colouristic masterpiece, a bewitching compendium of scents, colours and sounds. 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. A new album from marcandre hamelin is always cause for celebration. Achilleclaude debussy 22nd august 1862 25th march 1918 was a french composer. Canope preludes, book ii, 19 sep29 by steve bryson.
Claude debussys preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. I personally find some of these easier on the eyes reading the notes than stuff like feuilles mortes, but technically, theyre more difficult. It is that, rather than their picturesque qualities, that changed history. Debussys most dramatic contribution to music history was his disregard for traditional chord structures and tonality. The notes are by roger nichols, whose writings on french music are. Both books 1 and 2 of debussys popular piano preludes are contained in this one sturdy volume.
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. This blog is dedicated to discussion of the performance of the piano pieces of claude debussy. Debussys colouristic masterpiece, a bewitching compendium of scents, colours and sounds. Sep 05, 2012 claudeachille debussy 1862 1918 preludes, livre 2 1. One pleasure of staying with friends is to explore their collections of books and recordings. 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.
A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude. The prismatic debussy eastman school of music university of. Im only an amateur pianist, but have been playing debussys piano works since the late 70s. Playing debussys piano works an amateurs thoughts about. While in an opera or ballet, a prelude may be a mood setting introduction to.
Apr 03, 2014 unlike previous collections of preludes, such as those of j. 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. Debussys piano pieces require deep thought and understanding. 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. 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. It consists of three individually composed movements, prelude, sarabande and toccata. Sep 29, 2006 this piece is pure debussy a beautiful, quiet contemplative tone poem. Also recorded here is the second book of preludes, in a poetic and evocative performance.
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