Two excerpts from the emperor concerto, showing beethovens use of uneven groups of notes. As for his piano compositions, after he completed the second book of preludes the only. Preludes books 1 and 2 paperback april 1, 1999 by claude debussy composer 4. Claude debussys preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes. Evolving performance practice of debussys piano preludes. The paperback of the complete preludes, books 1 and 2. Debussys most dramatic contribution to music history was his disregard for traditional chord structures and tonality. Some pedaling marks at the bottom if these pages were cut off. Debussys preludes marks both the launch of new classical label onyx, and one of the most. That this was general we can to some extent see from the sales figures quoted by roy howat. The sounds and fragrances swirl through the evening air. 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 had been toying with the idea of writing a book of preludes for some. Preludes, book 1 6 epigraphes antiques en blanc et noir robert and gaby casadesus 1956 by claude debussy. Text is available under the creative commons attributionsharealike license. Debussy preludes, book 1 by claude debussy 18621918. In general i prefer arrau to most recordings of debussy, but even he struggles to bring out the best of book 2.
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. Achilleclaude debussy 22nd august 1862 25th march 1918 was a french composer. Often dubbed a musical impressionist, but his music always has a. 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. Publication date 1910 topics preludes, for piano, scores featuring the piano, for 1 player collection imslp. Topclassicalmusic music history channel 22,749,772 views. Debussy preludes, book 1 download free sheet music. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude debussy showing 1 4 of 68 pages in this thesis. He was one of the most important figures in music at the turn of the 20th century. These works are distinct from debussys images pour orchestre. Radio 3s nighttime service broadcasting classical music throughout europe.
Here in his first debussy recording for hyperion he presents the two books of images. 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. Although you wont find krystian zimermans ultrarefined fingerwork and wide dynamic range, nor paul jacobs linear perception, theres much to. 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. P ierrelaurent aimards muchpublicised recent claim in an interview with a german newspaper that debussy is a. They were published in two booksseries, each consisting of three pieces. P ierrelaurent aimards muchpublicised recent claim in an interview with a german newspaper that debussy is a greater composer than wagner is by no. The late mary antonietti, a pianist and cousin of gustav holst who met debussy when he came to london in 1909, remembered that book ii of the preludes was greeted in britain with slight disappointment. Three years exist between the publication of the first and second book, with the former appearing in 1910. 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. Achilleclaude debussy august 22, 1862 march 25, 1918 was a french composer.
Among the most important 20th century composers, and the most influential. As he plays debussys book 1 preludes, you notice how effortlessly his arms, hands, and fingers are choreographed to the music. 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. These works are distinct from debussy s images pour orchestre. He was too good a composer to imitate debussy, although there are a few examples of direct influence it. Les sons et les parfums tournent dans lair du soir the sounds and fragrances swirl through the evening. This work is licensed under a creative commons licence. Well, debussy obviously agreed but that didnt stop him putting his own stamp on the genre. Images usually pronounced in french is a suite of six compositions for solo piano by claude debussy. Debussys colouristic masterpiece, a bewitching compendium of scents, colours and sounds.
Ogg vorbis sound file, length 2 min 59 s, 162 kbps. Public domain audio performed by ivan ilic piano creative commons attribution 3. The purpose of this thesis is to discuss and give a descriptive analysis of twelve of the twentyfour preludes written by claude debussy. 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. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude debussy. 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. But the piano playing is superbly brilliant and precise, and the more energetic pieces, like no. 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. Scores at the international music score library project imslp. The first book was composed between 1901 and 1905, and the second book was composed in 1907. Brouillards is the first prelude in debussys second book of preludes and was completed. 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.
This paper also includes a brief history of preludes as well as possible influences upon debussy and his compositions. Claude debussy s preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. Discover more music, concerts, videos, and pictures with the largest catalogue online at. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude. For example, some performers use their full body weight to depress keys to create a rich sound. Media in category preludes by claude debussy the following 28 files are in this category, out of 28 total. The two final preludes of book i are more lighthearted.
Claude debussys preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. Images, book 1 claude debussy concerts, introduction. Unlike some notable collections of preludes from prior times, such as chopins op. Both books 1 and 2 of debussys popular piano preludes are contained in this one sturdy volume. The more time we spend with these early recordings however, the greater. Unlike other collections of preludes by great composers, debussy s do not follow a strict pattern of key signature. 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. The form of the piece can be traced through the progression of tonal centers and pitch collections. Adopting the major piano works including the preludes, bartok absorbed the liberated message as deeply as he absorbed the idiom of the hungarian peasant.
It is characteristic of debussy in its form, harmony, and content. Preludes, book 1 arturo benedetti michelangeli on allmusic 1984. These compositions, while endearing themselves to both pianist and listener, also occupy an important place in musical. Print and download in pdf or midi prelude viil debussy, claude. 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. 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. Les sons et les parfums tournent dans lair du soir. Music for relaxation, reliance and relief 10,415,940 views 1.