These works are distinct from debussy s images pour orchestre. 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. 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. But where bach and chopin used their preludes as something of a technical exercise, composing one for each musical key, debussys were freeform and full of his signature expressive indulgences.
Publication date 1910 topics preludes, for piano, scores featuring the piano, for 1 player collection imslp. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude debussy. Evolving performance practice of debussys piano preludes. Provided to youtube by universal music group debussy. Among the most important 20th century composers, and the most influential. The sounds and fragrances swirl through the evening air. Public domain audio performed by ivan ilic piano creative commons attribution 3. Images usually pronounced in french is a suite of six compositions for solo piano by claude debussy.
They were published in two booksseries, each consisting of three pieces. Media in category preludes by claude debussy the following 28 files are in this category, out of 28 total. Topclassicalmusic music history channel 22,749,772 views. Adopting the major piano works including the preludes, bartok absorbed the liberated message as deeply as he absorbed the idiom of the hungarian peasant. Music for relaxation, reliance and relief 10,415,940 views 1. Radio 3s nighttime service broadcasting classical music throughout europe. As he plays debussys book 1 preludes, you notice how effortlessly his arms, hands, and fingers are choreographed to the music. Debussys most dramatic contribution to music history was his disregard for traditional chord structures and tonality. Claude debussy had been toying with the idea of writing a book of preludes for some. This paper also includes a brief history of preludes as well as possible influences upon debussy and his compositions. Two excerpts from the emperor concerto, showing beethovens use of uneven groups of notes. Unlike some notable collections of preludes from prior times, such as chopins op. Three years exist between the publication of the first and second book, with the former appearing in 1910.
In general i prefer arrau to most recordings of debussy, but even he struggles to bring out the best of book 2. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude. The purpose of this thesis is to discuss and give a descriptive analysis of twelve of the twentyfour preludes written by claude debussy. Most pianists play book 2 as though they had to make the best out of a debussy whose creative power had fallen since book 1. Here in his first debussy recording for hyperion he presents the two books of images.
Les sons et les parfums tournent dans lair du soir the sounds and fragrances swirl through the evening. That this was general we can to some extent see from the sales figures quoted by roy howat. Debussy preludes, book 1 by claude debussy 18621918. The form of the piece can be traced through the progression of tonal centers and pitch collections. Claude debussys preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. Images, book 1 claude debussy concerts, introduction. 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. These compositions, while endearing themselves to both pianist and listener, also occupy an important place in musical. The two final preludes of book i are more lighthearted. It is characteristic of debussy in its form, harmony, and content. But the piano playing is superbly brilliant and precise, and the more energetic pieces, like no.
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. For example, some performers use their full body weight to depress keys to create a rich sound. Claude debussys preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes. 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. Ogg vorbis sound file, length 2 min 59 s, 162 kbps. Musical analysis as a technique for performance decisions in. 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. Debussys colouristic masterpiece, a bewitching compendium of scents, colours and sounds. 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. Les sons et les parfums tournent dans lair du soir. Aug 19, 2016 the composer who benefited most from this liberation was bartok, who was introduced to debussys music by kodaly in 1907. P ierrelaurent aimards muchpublicised recent claim in an interview with a german newspaper that debussy is a.
The paperback of the complete preludes, books 1 and 2. Both books 1 and 2 of debussys popular piano preludes are contained in this one sturdy volume. Jan 22, 2009 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. Pascal roge recorded debussys preludes book 1 for decca some time ago, and he has remade them, together with book 2, marking the start of a complete cycle of this composers piano works. 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. The first book was composed between 1901 and 1905, and the second book was composed in 1907. Achilleclaude debussy august 22, 1862 march 25, 1918 was a french composer. He was one of the most important figures in music at the turn of the 20th century. 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 s preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. Print and download in pdf or midi prelude viil debussy, claude. 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.
Often dubbed a musical impressionist, but his music always has a. Unlike other collections of preludes by great composers, debussy s do not follow a strict pattern of key signature. Text is available under the creative commons attributionsharealike license. Scores at the international music score library project imslp. Preludes, book 1 6 epigraphes antiques en blanc et noir robert and gaby casadesus 1956 by claude debussy. Brouillards is the first prelude in debussys second book of preludes and was completed. Achilleclaude debussy 22nd august 1862 25th march 1918 was a french composer. 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. Debussy preludes, book 1 download free sheet music. This work is licensed under a creative commons licence.
Preludes books 1 and 2 paperback april 1, 1999 by claude debussy composer 4. These works are distinct from debussys images pour orchestre. Although you wont find krystian zimermans ultrarefined fingerwork and wide dynamic range, nor paul jacobs linear perception, theres much to. Well, debussy obviously agreed but that didnt stop him putting his own stamp on the genre. As for his piano compositions, after he completed the second book of preludes the only. Preludes, book 1 arturo benedetti michelangeli on allmusic 1984. 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. Some pedaling marks at the bottom if these pages were cut off. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude debussy showing 1 4 of 68 pages in this thesis. The more time we spend with these early recordings however, the greater. Debussys preludes marks both the launch of new classical label onyx, and one of the most. Discover more music, concerts, videos, and pictures with the largest catalogue online at.
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