Prelude 11 from book 2 of debussy s preludes, published in 19. This essay will endeavour to answer this question, and to prove that impressionism alone is not a fair assessment of debussy s music. Claude debussy was a leading composer of the early 20th century known for his impressionistic style and use of nontraditional scales and tonalities as well as chromaticism. It is the second piece in a set of twelve preludes published in 1910. The first book was composed between 1901 and 1905, and the second book was composed in 1907. Both books 1 and 2 of debussys popular piano preludes are contained in this one sturdy volume. Prelude 10, titled canope in his book of preludes no. 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.
The first book of preludes is slightly easier than the second, since the second collection features debussy s more mature writing style. Debussys colouristic masterpiece, a bewitching compendium of scents, colours and sounds. Debussy preludes book 2 free downloadable sheet music. The title of the piece may be translated to english as either veils or sails.
Complete preludes, books 1 and 2 dover music for piano debussy, claude on. A new album from marcandre hamelin is always cause for celebration. Debussy preludes, bk 2 by claude debussy, paperback. Achilleclaude debussy august 22, 1862 march 25, 1918 was a french composer. Les sons et les parfums tournent dans lair du soir modere 3. In this prelude we find examples of harmonic procedures commonly used in claude debussy s music like. In addition, perhaps because debussy s style is so. The paperback of the complete preludes, books 1 and 2. Figures, table and examples may be found in the back of this paper. Here in his first debussy recording for hyperion he presents the two books of images.
Shop and buy bruyeres moors, from preludes book 2 sheet music. Claude debussys performance of minstrels from preludes, book i, in the 1912. Claude debussy s preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. Types of triplets found in piano compositions of debussy and places where they are found. 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. At the end of the last paragraph i posed two fundamental questions.
Debussy s book of preludes is some of his most wellknown and last works for solo piano. Each book contains twelve preludes for the piano, many of them known to todays musical audiences because of their great popularity with pianists worldwide. Debussy established impressionism as a pianistic style and used evocative terms to shed light on the mood or character of each piece. Debussys twentyfour preludes are among the composers last and best. In this paper, i have also made a case for the piano rolls credibility as. Except for some mild, localized chromaticism and a short pentatonic passage, the entire piece uses. Debussy s first public solo piano performance was not until age fifty, when he performed some of his preludes between 1911 and 19. It is a typical illustration of his impressionist composing manner. The music expresses a vast repertoire of emotions, colors and moods. Osteen, william timothy, analysis and interpretation. Unlike some notable collections of preludes from prior times, such as chopins op. 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.
Images usually pronounced in french is a suite of six compositions for solo piano by claude debussy. These beautiful french works are a must for all pianists. He was too good a composer to imitate debussy, although there are a few. These compositions, while endearing themselves to both pianist and listener, also occupy an important place in musical.
Sep 29, 2009 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. But the piano playing is superbly brilliant and precise, and the more energetic pieces, like no. Part biography, part criticism, and part analysis, this fascinating study of one of musics greatest geniuses is above all an authoritative commentary on the entire corpus of debussy s work for solo piano. Analysis can be a valuable tool for the performer who is seeking solutions to performance problems. Aug 16, 20 i played canopus from preludes book 2 composed by c. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude. Debussy favorite piano works by claude debussy 18621918.
Here, in one volume, are two bodies of work that, perhaps more than any others, reveal the essence of claude debussy s extraordinary expressiveness and his innovative gifts for musical imagery. The works in debussys second book of preludes 191019 are similar in intent to those of book i 19071910. Debussy preludes, book 1 by claude debussy 18621918. Ilya itin, piano this video was recorded at the golandsky institute international piano festival at princeton university. Complete your debussy, walter gieseking collection. Theyre both still quite the challenge for advanced players only. The twentyfour preludes of debussy are published in two books of twelve preludes each. Dovers book of debussy preludes is made of extremely high quality print on heavier paper than usual. Appraising background information the composer claude debussy 18621918 was the leading french composer of the end of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The easiest debussy piano pieces and the most difficult. But presumably it must have drawn attention to his new debussy recording, which neatly fits both books of piano preludes on to a single disc. Despite the research i have done regarding the title, the results i have found are still only speculation.
Musical analysis as a technique for performance decisions in selected preludes by claude debussy. The esoteric style of writing in both books was in accordance with the nature of yogic study. Im only an amateur pianist, but have been playing debussys piano works since the late 70s. A further analysis of these same three preludes by. Musical analysis as a technique for performance decisions in selected. Debussys piano pieces require deep thought and understanding. Compositions of debussy, the number of measures marked piano, and the number of measures marked forte. These works are distinct from debussy s images pour orchestre. These compositions, while endearing themselves to both.
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. 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. My analysis of canope debussy preludes for piano, book ii. There are several works in which wholetone harmony plays an important role, such as cloches a travers les feuilles,i from images book 1 1905, and voiles, from preludes book 1 1909. They were composed and published in two books of twelve. The works in debussys second book of preludes 1910 19 are similar in intent to those of book i 1907 1910. The music becomes more dramatic toward the end of the set. Canope, the tenth prelude in book 2, though lightly regarded by many critics, pre. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude debussy. 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. This paper also includes a brief history of preludes as well as possible influences upon debussy and his compositions.
The earliest extant examples date from the period of the old kingdom c. Except for some mild, localized chromaticism and a short pentatonic passage, the entire piece uses the whole. One of the easiest pieces in this collection is the girl with the flaxen hair, around a. Several of them look ahead to debussy s later style, in which the composers earlier impressionistic, almost romantic poetry was supplanted by a greater concentration upon technique and neoclassical objectivity. My analysis of canope debussy preludes for piano, book. A different approach to analysis of claude debussys music with examples from preludes, books 1 and 2. Debussy, walter gieseking preludes book ii discogs. A thoughtful note by the german writer in dgs booklet reminds us that debussy wasnt in favour of performing each book in its entirety, 12 pieces at a time. Voiles is a composition by claude debussy for solo piano from 1909. Three years exist between the publication of the first and second book, with the former appearing in 1910.
Dg is proud to announce the new album of icon maestro pollini, coinciding with the debussy year 2018. In addition, perhaps because debussy s style is so prone to mannerism. Some pedaling marks at the bottom if these pages were cut off. These works have been central to stevens repertoire for many years and he brings them to the. Debussy preludes, bk 2 alfred masterwork edition by claude debussy and maurice hinson apr 1. Also recorded here is the second book of preludes, in a poetic and evocative performance. Helpful english translations of french terms as well as debussy s performance. Not only is the title full of mystery, but the piece. Claude debussy composed the second book of preludes during 1910 12. 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 works in debussy s second book of preludes 191019 are similar in intent to those of book i 19071910. Mme debussy describes it as a visual evocation of the simple flowers of heather. 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.
Debussy s twentyfour preludes are among the composers last and bestknown works for piano. 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 each. This significant compilation of 12 preludes represents debussy s mature writing style and is filled with a great diversity of compositional styles. The analysis shows the emergence of two largescale structural processes that of. Complete preludes, books 1 and 2 dover music for piano. With this recording pollini is closing the circle of debussy preludes with the long anticipated recording of the 2nd book 18 years after he recorded book 1, which is an evergreen in his discography. 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. This blog is dedicated to discussion of the performance of the piano pieces of claude debussy. Preludes books 1 and 2 paperback april 1, 1999 by claude debussy composer 4. Nontraditional scales extended harmony traditional chords used in nontraditional context harmonic color tonal ambiguity.
The protagonist of dickens novel is musically personified by imitations of whistling, echoes of an english music hall. They were published in two booksseries, each consisting of three pieces. 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. Composed in 1907 this volume of images, comprised of three contrasting pieces, demonstrates conciseness, deep dramatic content and colorful tonal imagery. My personal journey through the 24 debussy preludes. Interpreting discontinuity in the late works of debussy columbias.
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