Among the most important 20th century composers, and the most influential. Debussy considered both impressionism and symbolism terms of abuse. Claude debussy preludes, book ii selections youtube. Debussys piano pieces require deep thought and understanding. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude debussy. Both books 1 and 2 of debussys popular piano preludes are contained in this one sturdy volume. Chandos records is one of the worlds premier classical music record companies, best known for its ground breaking search for neglected musical gems. Preludes, book 1 6 epigraphes antiques en blanc et noir robert and gaby casadesus 1956 ns 0105. Despite the research i have done regarding the title, the results i have found are still only speculation.
Les sons et les parfums tournent dans lair du soir 10. Similarly, the great german pianist walter gieseking seemed to have dibs on the debussy preludes. Commons is a freely licensed media file repository. The first book of preludes is slightly easier than the second, since the second collection features debussy s more mature writing style. Most of debussys preludes are easy to sightread and it is funny to see this thread because i scanned through the book today. Two excerpts from the emperor concerto, showing beethovens use of uneven groups of notes. The works in debussys second book of preludes are similar in intent to those of book i 1907 1910. Theyre both still quite the challenge for advanced players only.
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. Here in his first debussy recording for hyperion he presents the two books of images. Chandos records is one of the worlds premier classical music record companies, best known for. Types of triplets found in piano compositions of debussy and. 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. A summary of their overall effect on debussy s melody and harmony.
His 193839 versions were staples of the 78 rpm catalog, as well as his 1951 and 1953 lp remakes. On the show, critic ted libbey called them quite remarkable and dubbed jacobs the gold standard for the piano music of debussy. 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. A summary of their overall effect on debussys melody and harmony. 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. I have one other schirmer debussy piano book and this compilation book was what led me to purchase this set of preludes. My analysis of canope debussy preludes for piano, book ii. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Paul jacobss 1970s recordings of debussy s preludes for nonesuch were included in the npr classical 50 list of essential recordings. This piece is pure debussy a beautiful, quiet contemplative tone poem. Information from its description page there is shown below. The present release in emis great recordings of the century series marks the third time giesekings 1953 versions are reissued on cd. Also recorded here is the second book of preludes, in a poetic and evocative performance.
He was too good a composer to imitate debussy, although there are a few examples of direct influence it. Most of debussy s preludes are easy to sightread and it is funny to see this thread because i scanned through the book today. Not only is the title full of mystery, but the piece itself leaves the listener in awe and wonder. Book i was written between december 1909 and february 1910, and book ii between the last months of 1912 and early april. The purpose of this thesis is to discuss and give a descriptive analysis of twelve of the twentyfour preludes written by claude debussy. In these pages ill try to summarize what references i have on the performance of. Some pedaling marks at the bottom if these pages were cut off. My analysis of canope debussy preludes for piano, book. A novelty about these preludes is that the titles are not printed as a header above the first page, but as a footer on the last page, almost like an afterthought, suggesting that the title is inspired by the music and not the other way around. Les sons et les parfums tournent dans lair du soir modere 3. Debussy preludes, book 1 by claude debussy 18621918. 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.
One of the easiest pieces in this collection is the girl with the flaxen hair, around a. Dovers book of debussy preludes is made of extremely high quality print on heavier paper than usual. We and our partners use cookies to personalize your experience, to show you ads based on your interests, and for measurement and analytics purposes. By contrast, the pianists decisive, angular approach to no. Usually ships in 24 hours, unless stock becomes depleted. 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 completed within two months. Canope preludes, book ii, 19 playing debussys piano. The main tonics of each prelude and how they are emphasized. Claude debussy s preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. 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. Preludes books 1 and 2 paperback april 1, 1999 by claude debussy composer 4.
This paper also includes a brief history of preludes as well as possible influences upon debussy and his compositions. Ilya itin, piano this video was recorded at the golandsky institute international piano festival at princeton university. The paradox is that debussy succeeded in a series of piano works starting with estampes in 1903 and culminating in the two books of preludes in 1910 and 1912 respectively in creating what can only be called an. 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. Debussys colouristic masterpiece, a bewitching compendium of scents, colours and sounds. Complete preludes, books 1 and 2 dover music for piano. Unlike some notable collections of preludes from prior times, such as chopins op. The easiest debussy piano pieces and the most difficult. 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. 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. Media in category preludes by claude debussy the following 28 files are in this category, out of 28 total. During the first half of the nineteenth century, french music, which had been largely given over to opera, had been. 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. Im only an amateur pianist, but have been playing debussys piano works since the late 70s.
This blog is dedicated to discussion of the performance of the piano pieces of claude debussy. Pianist imogen c ooper painted evocative sound pictures in a bbc radio 3 lunchtime recital featuring music by debussy, beethoven and chopin. Playing debussys piano works an amateurs thoughts about. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude. Claude debussy composed the second book of preludes during 1910 12. Claude debussys preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. While the solo piano version of debussys preludes will always remain fundamental to. Not only is the title full of mystery, but the piece. Claude debussy composed his two books of preludes between late 1909 and early 19. This was the first collection of debussy s preludes i ever owned and i have yet to hear another that surpasses it. Ilya itin, piano this video was recorded at the golandsky institute international piano festival at.
The paperback of the complete preludes, books 1 and 2. Please add your thoughts in the comments at the bottom. Although the composer did not think the preludes should be performed as a cycle. There are evocations of calm seascapes, delicate wind tracery, and snowcovered landscapes. Often dubbed a musical impressionist, but his music always has a strong sense of form.
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