Debussy preludes book 1 duration meaning

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. Claude debussys preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes. Images usually pronounced in french is a suite of six compositions for solo piano by claude debussy. They were published in two books series, each consisting of three pieces. 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. Claude debussys preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. This paper also includes a brief history of preludes as well as possible influences upon debussy and his compositions. Unlike previous collections of preludes, such as those of j. The works in debussys second book of preludes 1910 19 are similar in intent to those of book i 1907 1910. Order of difficulty of debussy preludes is there a general guide to the difficulty of the debussy preludes. Preludes, book 1 6 epigraphes antiques en blanc et noir robert and gaby casadesus 1956 by claude debussy. 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.

Achilleclaude debussy 22nd august 1862 25th march 1918 was a french composer. Aug 19, 2016 the composer who benefited most from this liberation was bartok, who was introduced to debussys music by kodaly in 1907. Some pedaling marks at the bottom if these pages were cut off. Nontraditional scales extended harmony traditional chords used in nontraditional context harmonic color tonal ambiguity. Nov 17, 2015 debussy s preludes, book 1 in a 1949 recording by alfred cortot, one of the greatest interpreters of this music. Two excerpts from the emperor concerto, showing beethovens use of uneven groups of notes. Prelude, musical composition, usually brief, that is generally played as an introduction to another, larger musical piece. Following a summary of stockhausens ideas, i analyze three late works.

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. Unlike them, however, he did not adhere to a system of one prelude for each. Additional specific references for this tempo issue. 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. Krystian zimerman is a prime example of the modern interpreter who presents debussy as a composer of sense as well as sensibility. In addition, perhaps because debussys style is so prone to. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude debussy. Roy howat, debussy in proportion cambridge up, 19831986, pp. Over the past few decades the way pianists play debussy has changed. Im only an amateur pianist, but have been playing debussy s piano works since the late 70s. Playing debussys piano works an amateurs thoughts about. These works are distinct from debussys images pour orchestre. Now, prelude had taken on the meaning of a kind of characteristic pieces. In these pages ill try to summarize what references i have on the performance of.

Unlike other collections of preludes by great composers, debussy s do not follow a strict pattern of key signature. They were published in two booksseries, each consisting of three pieces. These works are distinct from debussy s images pour orchestre. The first displays the influence of massenet, the second is written more in the baroque manner. Preludes books 1 and 2 paperback april 1, 1999 by claude debussy composer 4. In the 17th century, organists in particular began to write loosely structured preludes to rigorously conceived fugues. P ierrelaurent aimards muchpublicised recent claim in an interview with a german newspaper that debussy is a.

Here is an outline of the piece with a summary of the overarching processes. Jan 09, 2010 voiles, number 2 from book i of debussys preludes. Book one was written between december 1909 and february 1910, and book two between the last months of 1912 and early april. He was too good a composer to imitate debussy, although there are a few examples of direct influence it.

Chandos records is one of the worlds premier classical music record companies, best known for its ground breaking search for neglected musical gems. Recorded live during the marion rubin berman 31 piano honors concert april 12, 2012 in necs jordan hall in boston. Soyoung choe performs excerpts from debussys preludes, book 1. The term is applied generically to any piece preceding a religious or secular ceremony, including in some instances an operatic performance. Publication date 1910 topics preludes, for piano, scores featuring the piano, for 1 player collection. P ierrelaurent aimards muchpublicised recent claim in an interview with a german newspaper that debussy is a greater composer than wagner is by no. 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. Bach, gave each prelude its own distinct character. 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. Complete preludes, books 1 and 2 dover music for piano. 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. Claude debussys performance of minstrels from preludes, book i, in the 1912. The girl with the flaxen hair is almost a plain jane here, and the sounds and scents of the evening scarcely linger as impalpable impressions. The purpose of this thesis is to discuss and give a descriptive analysis of twelve of the twentyfour preludes written by claude debussy. Although you wont find krystian zimermans ultrarefined fingerwork and wide dynamic range, nor paul jacobs linear perception, theres much to. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude debussy showing 14 of 68 pages in this thesis. Bach and chopin, debussys do not follow a strict pattern of key signatures each book was written in a matter of months, at an unusually fast pace for debussy.

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. It is the sixth piece in the composers first book of preludes, written between. The easiest debussy piano pieces and the most difficult. 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. E major sounding pitch view more e major music for piano andantino con moto view more music marked.

Debussy preludes, book 1 download free sheet music. Certain motivelength gestures may gestures may serve thematic functions and be marked as. The first book of preludes is slightly easier than the second, since the second collection features debussy s more mature writing style. Surviving proofs of the 1st book of preludes show there was so much to correct and mark in a short time that several details including some lefthand chords in 2 of the preludes were overlooked.

Dovers book of debussy preludes is made of extremely high quality print on heavier paper than usual. 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. One of the easiest pieces in this collection is the girl with the flaxen hair, around a. As he plays debussys book 1 preludes, you notice how effortlessly his arms, hands, and fingers are choreographed to the music. The piece is one of four debussy preludes in both books whose title origins are unknown. Theyre both still quite the challenge for advanced players only. While the solo piano version of debussys preludes will always remain fundamental to. One work that sets its mystery at the fore is the sunken cathedral book 1, no. Musical analysis as a technique for performance decisions in. 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. These works have been central to stevens repertoire for many years and he brings them to the studio after.

Inspired by the performances of the american dancer loie. The paperback of the complete preludes, books 1 and 2. Evolving performance practice of debussys piano preludes. May 21, 2018 surviving proofs of the 1st book of preludes show there was so much to correct and mark in a short time that several details including some lefthand chords in 2 of the preludes were overlooked. That this was general we can to some extent see from the sales figures quoted by roy howat. This album contains the preludes, books 1 and 2 by debussy, presented by piano classics, a label of brilliant classics.

Each book was written in a matter of months, at an unusually fast pace for debussy. Debussy wrote two books of 12 preludes, and wrote them very quickly. But the piano playing is superbly brilliant and precise, and the more energetic pieces, like no. Three years exist between the publication of the first and second book, with the former appearing in 1910. 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. The meaning of the title may describe debussys love for ornamental melodic writing. Claude debussy composed his two books of preludes during a remarkably brief. Publication date 1910 topics preludes, for piano, scores featuring the piano, for 1 player collection imslp.

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 impressionist technique. The first book was composed between 1901 and 1905, and the second book was composed in 1907. This piano piece was initially published in the year 1908 and is included in preludes by debussy. 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.

A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude. Both books 1 and 2 of debussys popular piano preludes are contained in this one sturdy volume. Interpreting discontinuity in the late works of debussy columbia. The two arabesques are debussys first major piano work. 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. Debussys preludes, book 1 in a 1949 recording by alfred cortot, one of the greatest interpreters of this music. They are divided into two separate livres, or books, of twelve preludes each. These compositions, while endearing themselves to both pianist and listener, also occupy an important place in musical. 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. Certain motive length gestures may gestures may serve thematic functions and be marked as. Debussys colouristic masterpiece, a bewitching compendium of scents, colours and sounds. Unlike some notable collections of preludes from prior times, such as chopins op. Adopting the major piano works including the preludes, bartok absorbed the liberated message as deeply as he absorbed the idiom of the hungarian peasant. Book i was written between december 1909 and february 1910, and book ii between the last months of 1912 and early april 19.