Sep 29, 2006 claudio arrau considered it to be one of debussys greatest preludes and said its miraculous that he created, in so few notes, this kind of depth. Jan 09, 2010 voiles, number 2 from book i of debussys preludes. Unlike some notable collections of preludes from prior times, such as chopins op. 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. 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. Cecile oussets recording of debussys preludes, with the suite pour le piano and lisle joyeuse, is possibly the best version i have ever heard, i think.
The title of the piece may be translated to english as either veils or sails. Voiles is a composition by claude debussy for solo piano from 1909. These pieces were written in 1888 during debussys earliest compositional period. 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. The purpose of this thesis is to discuss and give a descriptive analysis of twelve of the twentyfour preludes written by claude debussy. Except for some mild, localized chromaticism and a short pentatonic passage, the entire piece uses the whole. While i have not heard every version of the preludes out. 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. Diversity of ivetrical scheme found in six different compositions of debussy, preludes, book ii, 39 2.
Four pieces from book i have this construction in common. 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. Inspired by the performances of the american dancer loie fuller, whose scarf dances were. Canope preludes, book ii, 19 playing debussys piano. Some pedaling marks at the bottom if these pages were cut off. Previous sheet music next sheet music voiles claude debussy. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude debussy. 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. I have recently been listening repeatedly to samples of pascal roges latest recording of debussys preludes, and i must say i like what ive heard. 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. Although you wont find krystian zimermans ultrarefined. Though the method of development in the preludes varies, debussys themes in. 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. Media in category preludes by claude debussy the following 28 files are in this category, out of 28 total.
Claude debussys preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. Also recorded here is the second book of preludes, in a poetic and evocative performance. Free sheet music l 117, debussy, claude preludes, book 1. These compositions, while endearing themselves to both pianist and. Prelude voiles, book 1 no 2 prelude voiles book 1 no 2.
But there is too little mystery and confidentiality in those preludes where debussy demands stillness rather than hyperactivity, a touch of mystery and enigma rather than exultance. Dsl92190 debussy starry night preludes book i other works. Parting the veils of debussy s voiles page 47 doesnt feel as it should and by some sense of the poetic penumbra that still. Orchestra band sheet music symphonic orchestra claude debussy. These compositions, while endearing themselves to both pianist and listener, also occupy an important place in musical. 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. Debussy was not referring to arabesque in the form of a ballet term but rather to the meaning of arabesque as a piece with exquisite detail and clear repetitions of ideas. Preludes books 1 and 2 paperback april 1, 1999 by claude debussy composer 4. A new album from marcandre hamelin is always cause for celebration. It combines the most perfect, present sound with superbly projected performances, full of sonorous tone and. 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. Debussys preludes are given the orchestral treatment with this luscious new album from the royal scottish national orchestra. 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.
This piece is pure debussy a beautiful, quiet contemplative tone poem. Debussy was not referring to arabesque in the form of a ballet term but rather to the meaning of arabesque as a piece with exquisite detail and clear repetitions of ideas and artistic balance. Although you wont find krystian zimermans ultrarefined fingerwork and wide dynamic range, nor paul jacobs linear perception, theres much to. Analysis debussy voiles claude debussy elements of. Debussys colouristic masterpiece, a bewitching compendium of scents, colours and sounds. It is the second piece in a set of twelve preludes published in 1910.
Debussy preludes, book 1 by claude debussy 18621918. Please add your thoughts in the comments at the bottom. Order of difficulty of debussy preludes is there a general guide to the difficulty of the debussy preludes. The twentyfour preludes of debussy are published in two books of twelve preludes each. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude. 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. Debussy did nothing less than liberate music from the domination by functional harmony which had prevailed for three centuries. When one thinks of debussy, one thinks of vast, visionary ideas condensed into the confines of the keyboard. Among the most important 20th century composers, and the most influential. Cecile oussets recording of debussy s preludes, with the suite pour le piano and lisle joyeuse, is possibly the best version i have ever heard, i think. Here in his first debussy recording for hyperion he presents the two books of images. Analysis debussy voiles claude debussy elements of music. Often dubbed a musical impressionist, but his music always has a strong sense of form. Claude debussy achilleclaude debussy french pronunciation.
It combines the most perfect, present sound with superbly projected performances, full of sonorous tone and the most fantastically regulated passagework. 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. A special treat is nuit detoiles starry night, debussy s first published work, completed in 1880 when claude was only 18. Parting the veils of debussys voiles page 47 doesnt feel as it should. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Well, debussy obviously agreed but that didnt stop him putting his own stamp on the genre. As for his piano compositions, after he completed the second book of preludes the only.
Compositions of debussy, the number of measures marked piano, and the number of measures marked forte. A special treat is nuit detoiles starry night, debussys first published work, completed in 1880 when claude was only 18. Types of triplets found in piano compositions of debussy and places where they are found. This was the first collection of debussys preludes i ever owned and i have yet to hear another that surpasses it. Three years exist between the publication of the first and second book, with the former appearing in 1910. This paper also includes a brief history of preludes as well as possible influences upon debussy and his compositions. Canope preludes, book ii, 19 playing debussys piano works. 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. May 18, 2020 claude debussy, french composer whose works were a seminal force in the music of the 20th century. As he plays debussys book 1 preludes, you notice how effortlessly his arms, hands, and fingers are choreographed to the music. Aug 19, 2016 debussy did nothing less than liberate music from the domination by functional harmony which had prevailed for three centuries. The works in debussys second book of preludes are similar in intent to those of book i 1907 1910. This was the first collection of debussy s preludes i ever owned and i have yet to hear another that surpasses it.