Complete preludes, books 1 and 2 dover music for piano. 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. Unlike some notable collections of preludes from prior times, such as chopins op. While the solo piano version of debussys preludes will always remain fundamental to. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude. I was just wondering, can anyone sort them out in order of difficulty from easiest to hardest. These compositions, while endearing themselves to both pianist and listener, also occupy an important place in musical. Both books 1 and 2 of debussys popular piano preludes are contained in this one sturdy volume. Two excerpts from the emperor concerto, showing beethovens use of uneven groups of notes. 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. As he plays debussys book 1 preludes, you notice how effortlessly his arms, hands, and fingers are choreographed to the music.
Complete your debussy, walter gieseking collection. Bach and chopin, debussys do not follow a strict pattern of key signatures. The first book of preludes is slightly easier than the second, since the second collection features debussy s more mature writing style. I have recently been listening repeatedly to samples of pascal roges latest recording of debussys preludes, and i must say i like what ive heard. One of the easiest pieces in this collection is the girl with the flaxen hair, around a. Unlike previous collections of preludes, such as those of j. Recorded live during the marion rubin berman 31 piano honors concert april 12, 2012 in necs jordan hall in boston. Three years exist between the publication of the first and second book, with the former appearing in 1910. Some pedaling marks at the bottom if these pages were cut off. Like vladimir horowitz and glenn gould, michelangeli employs a relatively flatfingered technique for sustained legato passages and certain rotary arpeggios such as those in ce qua vu le vent douest. Order of difficulty of debussy preludes is there a general guide to the difficulty of the debussy preludes.
Claude debussy s preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. 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. Here in his first debussy recording for hyperion he presents the two books of images. At one time his music was made to sound bleached and anaemic, but pianists are now ready to show it in much sharper focus. Debussy preludes, book 1 by claude debussy 18621918. 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. The game was originally planned to not have any music in the game until the games composer, dan golding. The purpose of this thesis is to discuss and give a descriptive analysis of twelve of the twentyfour preludes written by claude debussy. Media in category preludes by claude debussy the following 28 files are in this category, out of 28 total.
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. 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. Debussys piano pieces require deep thought and understanding. Music for relaxation, reliance and relief 10,415,940 views 1.
One of debussy s 24 preludes is from book 1, prelude 12, also known as minstrels. This blog is dedicated to discussion of the performance of the piano pieces of claude debussy. Debussy, walter gieseking preludes book ii discogs. The music expresses a vast repertoire of emotions, colors and moods. Achilleclaude debussy august 22, 1862 march 25, 1918 was a french composer. Achilleclaude debussy 22nd august 1862 25th march 1918 was a french composer. Krystian zimerman is a prime example of the modern interpreter who presents debussy as a composer of sense as well as sensibility. 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. As for his piano compositions, after he completed the second book of preludes the only. Preludes, an album by claude debussy, krystian zimerman on spotify we and our partners use cookies to personalize your experience, to show you ads based on your interests, and for measurement and analytics purposes. Although you wont find krystian zimermans ultrarefined fingerwork and wide dynamic range, nor paul jacobs linear perception, theres much to. In these pages ill try to summarize what references i have on the performance of. 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 easiest debussy piano pieces and the most difficult. He was one of the most important figures in music at the turn of the 20th century. Unlike other collections of preludes by great composers, debussy s do not follow a strict pattern of key signature. There are evocations of calm seascapes, delicate wind tracery, and snowcovered landscapes. Often dubbed a musical impressionist, but his music always has a. Debussy preludes, book 1 download free sheet music. Theyre both still quite the challenge for advanced players only. Each book was written in a matter of months, at an. He was too good a composer to imitate debussy, although there are a few examples of direct influence it. Helpful english translations of french terms as well as debussy s performance. Often dubbed a musical impressionist, but his music always has a strong sense of form. Publication date 1910 topics preludes, for piano, scores featuring the piano, for 1 player collection imslp.
Soyoung choe performs excerpts from debussys preludes, book 1. This paper also includes a brief history of preludes as well as possible influences upon debussy and his compositions. Debussys most dramatic contribution to music history was his disregard for traditional chord structures and tonality. Im only an amateur pianist, but have been playing debussys piano works since the late 70s. Over the past few decades the way pianists play debussy has changed. This significant compilation of 12 preludes represents debussy s mature writing style and is filled with a great diversity of compositional styles. 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. Dovers book of debussy preludes is made of extremely high quality print on heavier paper than usual. The paperback of the complete preludes, books 1 and 2. Debussys colouristic masterpiece, a bewitching compendium of scents, colours and sounds. Preludes books 1 and 2 paperback april 1, 1999 by claude debussy composer 4.
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