Debussy preludes book one day at a time

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. 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. 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. 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.

A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude. 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 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. Aug 19, 2016 the composer who benefited most from this liberation was bartok, who was introduced to debussys music by kodaly in 1907. 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. 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.

As he plays debussys book 1 preludes, you notice how effortlessly his arms, hands, and fingers are choreographed to the music. Over the past few decades the way pianists play debussy has changed. Preludes books 1 and 2 paperback april 1, 1999 by claude debussy composer 4. 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. These works have been central to stevens repertoire for many years and he brings them to the studio after. Theres room for different expressive approaches in debussy.

Complete preludes, books 1 and 2 dover music for piano. Ilya itin, piano this video was recorded at the golandsky institute international piano festival at princeton university. Debussys autograph manuscripts available for both book i of the. In this 2005 rerelease on deutsche grammophons originals series. 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. Claude debussy 18621918 was a 20thcentury french composer and one of the most prominent figures working within the field of impressionist music. Buy debussy preludes by claude debussy, pascal roge from amazons classical music store. Debussys 150th birthday gets little notice the new york times. Hamelin wants to present book 2 in its entirety to showcase this strong relationship. I dont know why he didnt follow up this 1998 cd of book i with another devoted to book ii. Heretofore, my favorite artist for the preludes i and ii had likely been joan rowlands surrounded by debussy, preludes.

Perhaps debussy is not considered enough of an audience draw, but i suspect that the. 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. As for his piano compositions, after he completed the second book of preludes the only. 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. This album contains the preludes, books 1 and 2 by debussy. 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.

Unlike previous collections of preludes, such as those of j. Claude debussy, french composer whose works were a seminal force in the music of the 20th century. Unlike some notable collections of preludes from prior times, such as chopins op. Claude debussy composed the second book of preludes during 1910 12. To discover how to adapt and integrate such new knowledge with my familiar life. He was too good a composer to imitate debussy, although there are a few examples of direct influence it. Preludes book 1 and preludes book 2 subtly evocative. 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. Bach and chopin, debussys do not follow a strict pattern of key signatures. Claude debussys preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. Apr 03, 2014 unlike previous collections of preludes, such as those of j. 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. He was among the most influential composers of the late 19th and.

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. Claude debussy 18621918 preludes 23yearold debussy at the villa medici in rome, 1885, at center in the white jacket achilleclaude debussy august 22, st. Debussy preludes book 1 this page lists all recordings of preludes book 1 by claude achille debussy 18621918. In 1880, tchaikovsky commented on one of debussys early pieces.

Although you wont find krystian zimermans ultrarefined fingerwork and wide dynamic range, nor paul jacobs linear perception, theres much to. He is sometimes seen as the first impressionist composer, although he vigorously rejected the term. The pianist stephen hough celebrates debussys slipping, slinking, sparkling. I did not originally plan to orchestrate all of debussys preludes. Feb 14, 2020 provided to youtube by universal music group debussy. The piece is 39 measures long and takes approximately two and a. In his book of 2009, roy howat, scottish pianist, scholar, and one of the four editors of the. Adopting the major piano works including the preludes, bartok absorbed the liberated message as deeply as he absorbed the idiom of the hungarian peasant. Maurizio pollini brings cool elegance and unflappable sheen to debussys preludes book one. The title is in french and translates roughly to the girl with the flaxen hair. Evolving performance practice of debussys piano preludes. Preludes, book 1 arturo benedetti michelangeli on allmusic 1984. Krystian zimerman is a prime example of the modern interpreter who presents debussy as a composer of sense as well as sensibility.

The fireworks of bastille day 14 july are depicted in flamboyant keyboard pyrotechnics. It is the eighth piece in the composers first book of preludes, written between late 1909 and early 1910. This paper also includes a brief history of preludes as well as possible influences upon debussy and his compositions. The purpose of this thesis is to discuss and give a descriptive analysis of twelve of the twentyfour preludes written by claude debussy. He contours the dynamics with micromanaged aplomb, and achieves ravishing pedal effects in the more meditative selections. One cant find fault with the pianists welloiled fingerwork and beautifully modulated sonority. 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. The music becomes more dramatic toward the end of the set. The more time we spend with these early recordings however, the greater. 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. 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. Germainenlaye, france, 1862 march 25, 1918 was born the eldest of five children in a. Unlike some notable collections of preludes from prior times, such as. Both books 1 and 2 of debussys popular piano preludes are contained in this one sturdy volume. For the record, debussys own piano was a bechstein.

Marcandre hamelin performs complete book 2 of debussys. Debussy preludes book 2 this page lists all recordings of preludes book 2 by claude achille debussy 18621918. Each book was written in a matter of months, at an. Claude debussy was born on the 22nd august 1862 in saintgermainenlaye, france. Images by arturo benedetti michelangeli and tens of. Book i was written between december 1909 and february 1910, and book ii between the last months of 1912 and early april 19. At one time his music was made to sound bleached and anaemic, but pianists are now ready to show it in much sharper focus. He contours the dynamics with micromanaged aplomb, and achieves ravishing pedal effects in the more. Dovers book of debussy preludes is made of extremely high quality print on heavier paper than usual. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

My personal journey through the 24 debussy preludes. 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. Music for relaxation, reliance and relief 10,415,940 views 1. 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. Bach and chopin, debussy s do not follow a strict pattern of key signatures. Provided to youtube by universal music group debussy. Piano solo songbook claude debussy preludes book 1 kalmus vintage vg. Hamelin has played the full book in one performance. Its a great time to upgrade your home music studio gear with the largest selection at. 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. 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. There is a time signature transition in it that is tricky to deal with.