The primary purpose of this study is to examine various ways in which analysis can provide solutions to problems that may arise in the performance of debussy s preludes for piano. This paper also includes a brief history of preludes as well as possible influences upon debussy and his compositions. Debussys preludes book one, 1910, book two, 19 are historically important in the literature for piano, and they demonstrate growth and maturation in the. 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. These works are distinct from debussys images pour orchestre. The twentyfour preludes of debussy are published in two books of twelve preludes each. Unlike some notable collections of preludes from prior times, such as chopins op. Debussys piano preludes ondine and brouillards, both from book. As for his piano compositions, after he completed the second book of preludes the only. The music expresses a vast repertoire of emotions, colors and moods. Breiner for orchestra debussy completed his two books of preludes in 1910 and 19 respectively, and they contain some of his most visionary and poetic writing for piano. Here in his first debussy recording for hyperion he presents the two books of images.
Playing debussys piano works an amateurs thoughts about. A stylistic analysis of the piano works 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. There is throughout the sense of going on a journey, even awe, to osbornes interpretations. Not only is the title full of mystery, but the piece itself leaves the listener in awe and wonder. Impressionism piano sheet music by claude debussy to download and print instantly. This significant compilation of 12 preludes represents debussy s mature writing style and is filled with a great diversity of compositional styles.
Art music in the twentieth century encompasses a wide range of expression, forms, and media. These compositions, while endearing themselves to both pianist and listener, also occupy an important place in musical. Also recorded here is the second book of preludes, in a poetic and evocative performance. The works in debussys second book of preludes are similar in intent to those of book i 1907 1910. Here, in one volume, are two bodies of work that, perhaps more than any others, reveal the essence of claude debussy s extraordinary expressiveness and his innovative gifts for musical imagery. Complete your debussy, walter gieseking collection. The first book of preludes 1910, twelve in total, proved to be his most successful work for piano. Helpful english translations of french terms as well as debussys performance. Debussy preludes book 2 free downloadable sheet music. 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.
Pianist imogen c ooper painted evocative sound pictures in a bbc radio 3 lunchtime recital featuring music by debussy, beethoven and chopin. 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. His playing seeps with atmosphere and he delves deep into the composers sound world. 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. The music becomes more dramatic toward the end of the set. For the opening concert of the halle orchestras 20012 season, its newly appointed principal conductor, mark elder, asked to include a. Compare and contrast the records of one of debussy 24. Its followed by another sad prelude, feuilles mortes dead leaves. Study in theory and analysis of the music of debussy, stravinsky, scriabin, bartok, and. This significant compilation of 12 preludes represents debussys mature writing style and is filled with a great diversity of compositional styles. Debussy s music virtually defines the transition from lateromantic music to twentieth century modernist music. Claude debussy composed the second book of preludes during 1910 12. Debussys music virtually defines the transition from lateromantic music to twentieth century modernist music. Debussy preludes, bk 2 by claude debussy, paperback.
Debussy, walter gieseking preludes book ii discogs. These compositions, while endearing themselves to both pianist and. For all that, pollinis overall approach is consistent. A good recording of the debussy preludes should feel like an occasion, and steven osborne delivers. Im only an amateur pianist, but have been playing debussys piano works since the late 70s. Ilya itin, piano this video was recorded at the golandsky institute international piano festival at. Musical analysis as a technique for performance decisions in. Not only is the title full of mystery, but the piece. But presumably it must have drawn attention to his new debussy recording, which neatly fits both books of piano preludes on to a single disc. 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. Adopting the major piano works including the preludes, bartok absorbed the liberated message as deeply as he absorbed the idiom of the hungarian peasant.
But the piano playing is superbly brilliant and precise, and the more energetic pieces, like no. The purpose of this thesis is to discuss and give a descriptive analysis of twelve of the twentyfour preludes written by claude debussy. Debussy preludes, book 1 by claude debussy 18621918. Maurizio pollinis first book of debussy preludes appeared in 1999, and he took 19 years to ponder the present release. Claude debussy musician music database radio swiss classic. They were published in two booksseries, each consisting of three pieces. This release may set a record for the temporal distance between two volumes of the same set. But presumably it must have drawn attention to his new debussy recording, which neatly fits both books of. Three years exist between the publication of the first and second book, with the former appearing in 1910. Claude debussys preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. This blog is dedicated to discussion of the performance of the piano pieces of claude debussy.
Debussy composed the entire collection of preludes over a period of three years 191019 and divided them into two separate books, each book containing twelve preludes. My analysis of canope debussy preludes for piano, book. Both books 1 and 2 of debussys popular piano preludes are contained in this one sturdy volume. Maybe i am a lazy pianist but i like editions that have some fingering suggestions so i dont have so much work to do. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude. These works are distinct from debussy s images pour orchestre. Each book contains twelve preludes for the piano, many of them known to todays musical audiences because of their great popularity with pianists worldwide. Debussys colouristic masterpiece, a bewitching compendium of scents, colours and sounds. Recurrence, level organization and collection interaction in. Helpful english translations of french terms as well as debussy s performance. Despite the research i have done regarding the title, the results i have found are still only speculation. Images usually pronounced in french is a suite of six compositions for solo piano by claude debussy. We shouldnt be confused or think that things like winter are not characters.
Ilya itin, piano this video was recorded at the golandsky institute international piano festival at princeton university. Both of these preludes seem to recall the beginning of book 1 in their. The first book was composed between 1901 and 1905, and the second book was composed in 1907. Voiles, number 2 from book i of debussy s preludes. Claude debussy s preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. 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.
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. Dressed in a chic tan turtleneck, untucked, but with a belt clasped around it, arturo benedetti michelangeli sits at the piano in an intimate studio in october, 1978. 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. Here, in one volume, are two bodies of work that, perhaps more than any others, reveal the essence of claude debussys extraordinary expressiveness and his innovative gifts for musical imagery. Orchestrating debussys preludes written for the naxos complete debussy edition in 2011 i did not originally plan to orchestrate all of debussys preludes. 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. My analysis of canope debussy preludes for piano, book ii. As he plays debussys book 1 preludes, you notice how effortlessly his arms, hands, and fingers are choreographed to the music. I have one other schirmer debussy piano book and this compilation book was what led me to purchase this set of preludes. Provided to youtube by universal music group debussy. Inspired by the performances of the american dancer loie fuller, whose scarf dances were. Preludes the 24 preludes composed by debussy in book 1 and 2 are short musical pieces that are meant to put across a specific atmosphere or feeling which is pointed out by.
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