Debussy preludes book one day at a time

A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude debussy. Im not actually a great fan of debussy, nor of lengthy works for solo piano, but piemontesis interpretations here are just gorgeous. The title is in french and translates roughly to the girl with the flaxen hair. He was among the most influential composers of the late 19th and. Claude debussy, in full achilleclaude debussy, born august 22, 1862, saintgermainenlaye, francedied march 25, 1918, paris, french composer whose works were a seminal force in the music of the 20th century. Ilya itin, piano this video was recorded at the golandsky institute international piano festival at princeton university. My personal journey through the 24 debussy preludes. Debussys 150th birthday gets little notice the new york times. Germainenlaye, france, 1862 march 25, 1918 was born the eldest of five children in a.

Debussy preludes book 2 this page lists all recordings of preludes book 2 by claude achille debussy 18621918. 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. Book i was written between december 1909 and february 1910, and book ii between the last months of 1912 and early april 19. Krystian zimerman is a prime example of the modern interpreter who presents debussy as a composer of sense as well as sensibility. Originally recorded in 1953 and 1954 in monaural sound, walter giesekings magisterial performances of debussys preludes were first released on cd in 1987 as a single disc, and they have been reissued in various guises many times since. Claude debussys preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. Claude debussy 18621918 was a 20thcentury french composer and one of the most prominent figures working within the field of impressionist music. Stylistically, pollini isnt as gauzy or wistful as gieseking, nor as sparkling and brittle as thibaudet, not as easygoing as freire or as volatile as horowitz. On both occasions he played excerpts from debussys preludes as encores so captivatingly that i hoped one day he would record an album of the complete work.

His readings of the first book of preludes, and the first set of images is going to be much, much, much more than soothing pastel background music listening. 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. He was too good a composer to imitate debussy, although there are a few examples of direct influence it. He played a bunch of, at that time, famous pianists, and then a scratchy old thing, and as naive as we were, we all recognized the last lofi performance as the best one and the only one that dealt with the transition correctly. Perhaps debussy is not considered enough of an audience draw, but i suspect that the. I dont know why he didnt follow up this 1998 cd of book i with another devoted to book ii. Unlike previous collections of preludes, such as those of j. The piece is 39 measures long and takes approximately two and a.

Apr 03, 2014 unlike previous collections of preludes, such as those of j. Preludes book 1 and preludes book 2 subtly evocative. Theres room for different expressive approaches in debussy. Hamelin has played the full book in one performance. There is a time signature transition in it that is tricky to deal with. Provided to youtube by universal music group debussy. Although you wont find krystian zimermans ultrarefined fingerwork and wide dynamic range, nor paul jacobs linear perception, theres much to. 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. Heretofore, my favorite artist for the preludes i and ii had likely been joan rowlands surrounded by debussy, preludes. Preludes, book 1 arturo benedetti michelangeli on allmusic 1984.

It is the eighth piece in the composers first book of preludes, written between late 1909 and early 1910. 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. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude. But at other times its not clear at all, so we do not know exactly where debussy is leading us, and this was no doubt intentional. Images by arturo benedetti michelangeli and tens of. One cant find fault with the pianists welloiled fingerwork and beautifully modulated sonority. Piano solo songbook claude debussy preludes book 1 kalmus vintage vg. As he plays debussys book 1 preludes, you notice how effortlessly his arms, hands, and fingers are choreographed to the music. Adopting the major piano works including the preludes, bartok absorbed the liberated message as deeply as he absorbed the idiom of the hungarian peasant. To discover how to adapt and integrate such new knowledge with my familiar life.

He is sometimes seen as the first impressionist composer, although he vigorously rejected the term. Both books 1 and 2 of debussys popular piano preludes are contained in this one sturdy volume. Bach and chopin, debussy s do not follow a strict pattern of key signatures. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Feb 14, 2020 provided to youtube by universal music group debussy. Complete preludes, books 1 and 2 dover music for piano. He developed a highly original system of harmony and musical structure that expressed in many respects the ideals to which the impressionist and symbolist painters and writers of. The fireworks of bastille day 14 july are depicted in flamboyant keyboard pyrotechnics. Claude debussy 22 august 1862 25 march 1918 was one of the most influential composers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries and is regarded as the founder of musical impressionism.

Claude debussy, french composer whose works were a seminal force in the music of the 20th century. Claude debussy composed the second book of preludes during 1910 12. He contours the dynamics with micromanaged aplomb, and achieves ravishing pedal effects in the more meditative selections. He contours the dynamics with micromanaged aplomb, and achieves ravishing pedal effects in the more. 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. At one time his music was made to sound bleached and anaemic, but pianists are now ready to show it in much sharper focus.

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. Aug 19, 2016 the composer who benefited most from this liberation was bartok, who was introduced to debussys music by kodaly in 1907. This album contains the preludes, books 1 and 2 by debussy. Evolving performance practice of debussys piano preludes. Gieseking more or less owned these pieces during his lifetime and his performances have been judged as definitive by many critics since they were first issued. In his book of 2009, roy howat, scottish pianist, scholar, and one of the four editors of the. Claude debussy was born on the 22nd august 1862 in saintgermainenlaye, france. He developed a highly original system of harmony and musical structure that expressed in many respects the ideals to which the impressionist and symbolist painters and writers of his time aspired.

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. Maurizio pollini brings cool elegance and unflappable sheen to debussys preludes book one. I did not originally plan to orchestrate all of debussys preludes. Claude debussy 18621918 preludes 23yearold debussy at the villa medici in rome, 1885, at center in the white jacket achilleclaude debussy august 22, st. One only prays and hopes that the rest of debussys piano music is somewhere in the near future, probably along with at least the core ravel piano works if not all the ravel piano music. Buy debussy preludes by claude debussy, pascal roge from amazons classical music store. 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.

The music becomes more dramatic toward the end of the set. Its a great time to upgrade your home music studio gear with the largest selection at. In this 2005 rerelease on deutsche grammophons originals series. Over the past few decades the way pianists play debussy has changed. The purpose of this thesis is to discuss and give a descriptive analysis of twelve of the twentyfour preludes written by claude debussy. In 1880, tchaikovsky commented on one of debussys early pieces. Bach and chopin, debussys do not follow a strict pattern of key signatures.

After all, arturo benedetti michelangelis 70s recordings of debussys images and preludes, book 1, were hailed in their time as revolutionary, masterly, and uniquely compelling, and the encomiums have kept on through every subsequent rerelease. Debussys autograph manuscripts available for both book i of the. The more time we spend with these early recordings however, the greater. Marcandre hamelin performs complete book 2 of debussys. Unlike some notable collections of preludes from prior times, such as chopins op. Hamelin wants to present book 2 in its entirety to showcase this strong relationship. Each book was written in a matter of months, at an. Dovers book of debussy preludes is made of extremely high quality print on heavier paper than usual. For the record, debussys own piano was a bechstein. As for his piano compositions, after he completed the second book of preludes the only. These works have been central to stevens repertoire for many years and he brings them to the studio after. Debussy preludes book 1 this page lists all recordings of preludes book 1 by claude achille debussy 18621918. This paper also includes a brief history of preludes as well as possible influences upon debussy and his compositions.