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 pianist sandro baldi presents these seminal piano works of debussy and the release includes two different periods in debussys development. The twentyfour preludes of debussy are published in two books of twelve preludes each. 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.
These compositions, while endearing themselves to both pianist and listener, also occupy an important place in musical history and, like the preludes. He was one of the most important figures in music at the turn of the 20th century. This was the first collection of debussy s preludes i ever owned and i have yet to hear another that surpasses it. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude. Ilya itin, piano this video was recorded at the golandsky institute international piano festival at princeton university. Debussys most dramatic contribution to music history was his disregard for traditional chord structures and tonality. Debussys colouristic masterpiece, a bewitching compendium of scents, colours and sounds. Recorded live during the marion rubin berman 31 piano honors concert april 12, 2012 in necs jordan hall in boston. Aug 19, 2016 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. Any recordings you find of sviatoslav richter playing any of debussy s preludes are also worthy of consideration.
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. Unlike some notable collections of preludes from prior times, such as chopins op. He was too good a composer to imitate debussy, although there are a few examples of direct influence it. Influenced by chopin, debussy composed twentyfour preludes in two books 1910 and 19. 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. The purpose of this thesis is to discuss and give a descriptive analysis of twelve of the twentyfour preludes written by claude debussy. These compositions, while endearing themselves to both pianist and listener, also occupy an important place in musical history and, like the preludes of chopin, rachmaninoff and scriabin.
P ierrelaurent aimards muchpublicised recent claim in an interview with a german newspaper that debussy is a greater composer than wagner is by no. This paper also includes a brief history of preludes as well as possible influences upon debussy and his compositions. 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. The performances tell it like it is or almost, for not all debussys very demanding contrasts of dynamics are observed, and i imagine collard has small hands, though she. The paperback of the complete preludes, books 1 and 2. Although you wont find krystian zimermans ultrarefined fingerwork and wide dynamic range, nor paul jacobs linear perception, theres much to.
Chandos records is one of the worlds premier classical music record companies, best known for its ground breaking search for neglected musical gems. 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. Some pedaling marks at the bottom if these pages were cut off. List of books and articles about claude debussy online. Dovers book of debussy preludes is made of extremely high quality print on heavier paper than usual.
There are evocations of calm seascapes, delicate wind tracery, and snowcovered landscapes. Debussy may have contributed the last important evolution to the prelude. The works in debussys second book of preludes are similar in intent to those of book i 1907 1910. Three years exist between the publication of the first and second book, with the former appearing in 1910.
These works have been central to stevens repertoire for many years and he brings them to the studio after. There are, of course, many other complete recordings of the preludes, books iii. Any recordings you find of sviatoslav richter playing any of debussys preludes are also worthy of consideration. The most important early example of the prelude being exemplified in the forty eight preludes and fugues of books i and ii of the well tempered clavier of bach, where the prelude served to. 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. This paper also includes a brief history of preludes as well as possible influences upon debussy. Claude debussys two books of preludes, implying homage to both chopin and bach, revel in the composers innovative piano techniques. A new album from marcandre hamelin is always cause for celebration. The first more youthful and still imbued with a certain romanticism in some aspects, and then from the peak of his maturity as debussy reached the apex of his artistic and compositional mastery. Like the printed page scores, these readings are music first, and poetic or impressionistic titles second. Daniel ericourt books iii ivory classics 73006 4cd priced as 2 vladimir viardo books iii propiano 224525. The narratives are shaped through typical keyboard means of phrasing, varied tempo, and yes of course, color.
A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude debussy. Debussy dover music for piano by debussy, claude isbn. 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. Here he reaches between those two to tackle one of the pinnacles of the piano repertoiredebussys two books of preludes. You get two discs for the price of one here, but the discs are only about 42 and 43 minutes worth. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Chandos records is one of the worlds premier classical music record companies, best known for. Preludes books 1 and 2 paperback april 1, 1999 by claude debussy composer 4. Here in his first debussy recording for hyperion he presents the two books of images. These works have been central to stevens repertoire for many years and he brings them to the. Debussys piano pieces require deep thought and understanding. The titles are provided at the end of each prelude and left without dedication, with inspiration from impressionist artwork, literature, and nature. Preludes changed around the time of chopin when they became freestanding. The pianist sandro baldi presents these seminal piano works of debussy and the release includes two different periods in debussy s development.
The titles are provided at the end of each prelude and left without dedication, with inspiration. Debussy preludes 112 book 1 complete paul barton, feurich hp piano duration. Helpful english translations of french terms as well as debussys performance. The most important early example of the prelude being exemplified in the forty eight preludes and fugues of books i and ii of the well tempered clavier of bach, where the prelude served to establish the tonal center of the fugue that followed it. Recording this debussy repertoire for the first time on cd, nelson freire s soulful interpretation of these expansive impressionistic jewels of the.
As he plays debussys book 1 preludes, you notice how effortlessly his arms, hands, and fingers are choreographed to the music. This significant compilation of 12 preludes represents debussys mature writing style and is filled with a great diversity of compositional styles. The music expresses a vast repertoire of emotions, colors and moods. Soyoung choe performs excerpts from debussys preludes, book 1. Achilleclaude debussy 22nd august 1862 25th march 1918 was a french composer. Performing debussys preludes since the tender age of eight has left roge with an ingrained love for the composers music and a similar attitude towards the colour and tone of each note itself. Among french musics most avantgarde expressions, they also contain some of debussys most atonal sorties.
After traveling in europe and russia, debussy settled down in paris in 1887 and devoted himself to composing for the rest of his life. 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. Claude debussy 18621918 preludes ii, pour piano, l. Also recorded here is the second book of preludes, in a poetic and evocative performance. In volume one, bavouzet takes on both books of the debussy preludes. Im only an amateur pianist, but have been playing debussys piano works since the late 70s. This album contains the preludes, books 1 and 2 by debussy, presented by piano classics, a label of brilliant classics. In these pages ill try to summarize what references i have on the performance of. P ierrelaurent aimards muchpublicised recent claim in an interview with a german newspaper that debussy is a.
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