In these pages ill try to summarize what references i have on the performance of. Chandos records is one of the worlds premier classical music record companies, best known for. Book i was written between december 1909 and february 1910, and book ii between the last months. Debussy s twentyfour preludes are among the composers last and bestknown works for piano. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude. Here in his first debussy recording for hyperion he presents the two books of images. He was one of the most important figures in music at the turn of the 20th century. Claude debussys preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. 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. Im only an amateur pianist, but have been playing debussys piano works since the late 70s. Complete your claude debussy paul jacobs collection. Each book contains twelve preludes for the piano, many of them known to todays musical audiences because of their great popularity with pianists worldwide. Not only is the title full of mystery, but the piece itself leaves the listener in awe and wonder.
Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Order from your preferred classical music cd store arkivmusic. The paperback of the complete preludes, books 1 and 2. Pianist imogen c ooper painted evocative sound pictures in a bbc radio 3 lunchtime recital featuring music by debussy, beethoven and chopin. 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. Among the most important 20th century composers, and the most influential. This paper also includes a brief history of preludes as well as possible influences upon debussy and his compositions. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude debussy. This is debussy preludes book 2, william fried piano by creative performing arts channel on vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who. Im only an amateur pianist, but have been playing debussy s piano works since the late 70s.
There are evocations of calm seascapes, delicate wind tracery, and snowcovered landscapes. Please add your thoughts in the comments at the bottom. Unlike some notable collections of preludes from prior times, such as chopins op. Claude debussys preludes are two sets of pieces for solo piano, written in 191010. Despite the research i have done regarding the title, the results i have found are still only speculation. A strumming guitar, the hypnotic habanera rhythm, the crash of cymbals, the oppressive heat. 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. Stream adfree with amazon music unlimited on mobile, desktop, and tablet. Is there a general guide to the difficulty of the debussy preludes. Tonality in the first book of debussy s preludes jennifier carol stern durban 1978 submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of master of music performance, in the department of music, university of natal. They are abrsm grades, but not all the preludes, only the easiestmost approachable ones. Book awards book club selections books by author books by series coming soon kids books new releases teens books this.
Kahden preludin nimet debussy sijoitti lainausmerkkeihin, koska ne ovat sitaatteja. Ilya itin, piano this video was recorded at the golandsky institute international piano festival at princeton university. Playing debussys piano works an amateurs thoughts about. And if the parties you attend are full of people knowledgeable enough about music, they might have the first book of debussy preludes and since this is on the very first. They were composed and published in two books of twelve. As he plays debussys book 1 preludes, you notice how effortlessly his arms, hands, and fingers are choreographed to the music. Complete preludes, books 1 and 2 dover music for piano claude debussy on. From preludes book ii played by arturo benedetti michelangeli. My analysis of canope debussy preludes for piano, book. 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. My analysis of canope debussy preludes for piano, book ii.
These compositions, while endearing themselves to both. Walter gieseking plays debussy preludes book ii, no. 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. 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.
Canope, a song by claude debussy, catherine kautsky on spotify. Not only is the title full of mystery, but the piece. Debussy preludes book 2, william fried piano on vimeo. Both books 1 and 2 of debussys popular piano preludes are contained in this one sturdy volume. There is no proof that debussy necessarily intended the preludes to be performed as a.
But the piano playing is superbly brilliant and precise, and the more energetic pieces, like no. Debussy preludes, book 1 by claude debussy 18621918. The purpose of this thesis is to discuss and give a descriptive analysis of twelve of the twentyfour preludes written by claude debussy. This blog is dedicated to discussion of the performance of the piano pieces of claude debussy. Debussy preludes, book 1, sean osborne music, 2008. Debussys piano pieces require deep thought and understanding. Im aiming to get through them over the next couple of years, but would like to start with the easiest few and work my way up, while also bubbling along with any that are crazy difficult so that i spend more time overall on them, and then kind of meet in the middle. Debussys colouristic masterpiece, a bewitching compendium of scents, colours and sounds. Achilleclaude debussy 22nd august 1862 25th march 1918 was a french composer. These preludes are well known for the unique way in which they are titled.
Claude debussys preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes. Debussy played nos 1, 2, 10 and 11 at a concert on 5 may and we know that all of them, apart possibly from no 7, were heard in paris over the next ten months. Claude debussy perhaps the most influential french composer of modern times, studied piano, theory and composition at the paris. Also recorded here is the second book of preludes, in a poetic and evocative performance.
Download debussy preludes, book 2 in pdf and mp3 for free and without. 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. 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 piece is pure debussy a beautiful, quiet contemplative tone poem. Krystian zimerman, piano youtube preludes complete 24 claude debussy krystian zimerman duration. Debussys most dramatic contribution to music history was his disregard for traditional chord structures and tonality. Dates for book ii are harder to come by, but the volume was published almost exactly three years after the first, on 19 april 19. Complete preludes, books 1 and 2 dover music for piano. Often dubbed a musical impressionist, but his music always has a strong sense of form.