The title of the piece may be translated to english as either veils or sails. The preludes of frederic chopin and claude debussy are brief, selfcontained pieces that vary widely in character but that often explore a particular mood. As with the first book of preludes, claude debussy wrote the second book of. Debussy s book of preludes are some of his most wellknown and last works for solo piano. They were published in two booksseries, each consisting of three pieces. 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. 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. In addition, perhaps because debussy s style is so prone to. Debussy s spontaneity and the sensitive nature of his perception facilitated his acute insight into the child mind, an insight noticeable particularly in childrens corner, a french counterpart to mussorgskys song cycle the nursery. Art music in the twentieth century encompasses a wide range of expression, forms, and media. Debussys piano pieces require deep thought and understanding. Types of triplets found in piano compositions of debussy and places where they are found. The preludes i have chosen to analyze all share a similar compositional aspect. Debussy may have contributed the last important evolution to the prelude.
The titles are provided at the end of each prelude and left without dedication, with inspiration from impressionist artwork, literature, and nature. The one clear fault of the osborne recording is dynamic extremes, which is, i assume, an engineering decision. A new album from marcandre hamelin is always cause for celebration. Another critic wrote that book 2 of the preludes is played more successfully than book 1. These compositions, while endearing themselves to both pianist and listener, also occupy an important place in musical history and, like the preludes.
The purpose of this thesis is to discuss and give a descriptive analysis of twelve of the twentyfour preludes written by claude debussy. Playing debussys piano works an amateurs thoughts about. Helpful english translations of french terms as well as debussys performance suggestions are included as well as dr. It is on this narrativebased scaffolding that i will hang a more detailed musical analysis. 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.
The earliest extant examples date from the period of the old kingdom c. The first book of preludes is slightly easier than the second, since the second collection features debussys more mature writing style. The twentyfour preludes of debussy are published in two books of twelve preludes each. Ilya itin, piano this video was recorded at the golandsky institute international piano festival at princeton university. This one, brouillards mists, the first from book ii, is one of the more compelling efforts in either set.
Musical analysis as a technique for performance decisions in. Voiles is a composition by claude debussy for solo piano from 1909. Images usually pronounced in french is a suite of six compositions for solo piano by claude debussy. The musical language of bach in the welltempered clavier volume 2. It was published in 1910 as the tenth prelude in debussys first of two volumes of twelve piano preludes each. Debussys preludes book one, 1910, book two, 19 are historically. In addition, perhaps because debussy s style is so prone to mannerism.
He was too good a composer to imitate debussy, although there are a few examples of direct influence it. Debussy s twentyfour preludes are among the composers last and bestknown works for piano. Oct 31, 2006 though totaling twentyfour in number between the two books, debussys preludes do not follow the precedent established by j. Debussys book of preludes is some of his most wellknown and last works for solo piano. Debussy preludes for piano book two musical musings. Unlike some notable collections of preludes from prior times, such as chopins op. Accompanied by debussy piano preludes interpreted by steve gosling, the dancers took wing, as though they were laughing through the air. Prelude 11 from book 2 of debussys preludes, published in 19.
The book is organized by music theory concept, so it can easily be linked to any introductory theory course. A further analysis of these same three preludes by. The first book was composed between 1901 and 1905, and the second book was composed in 1907. In this prelude we find examples of harmonic procedures commonly used in claude debussy s music like. Debussy preludes, book 1 by claude debussy 18621918. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude. Bachs ubiquitously known welltempered clavier namely, a prelude in each of the major and minor keys and imitated by several other composers, including frederic chopin, charlesvalentin alkan, and sergei. Im only an amateur pianist, but have been playing debussys piano works since the late 70s. Composed in 1907 this volume of images, comprised of three contrasting pieces, demonstrates conciseness, deep dramatic content and colorful tonal imagery.
Claude debussys twentyfour preludes are among the composers last and. 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. Late period he wrote the piano suite childrens corner 1908. Music for relaxation, reliance and relief 10,415,940 views 1. Debussy preludes, bk 1 alfred masterwork edition debussy, claude, hinson, maurice on. Debussys canope as narrative form college music symposium. Complete preludes, books 1 and 2 dover music for piano. Dg is proud to announce the new album of icon maestro pollini, coinciding with the debussy year 2018. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.
World wide shipping follow this free score follow debussy, claude composer report problem sheet music sales from usa. They were composed and published in two books of twelve. In french literary circles, the style of this period was known as symbolism, a movement that directly inspired debussy both as a composer and as an active cultural participant. Each of debussys preludes, book i 1907 1910 is a short but substantial work that conveys a particular mood or impression suggested by its title. The authors do not prescribe any system of analysis, allowing individual instructors to follow their own preferences with their students. The primary purpose of this study is to examine various ways in which analysis can provide solutions to problems that may arise in the performance of debussy s preludes for piano. The analysis shows the emergence of two largescale structural. Alongside the historic recording of book 2 there is ashkenazys account of book 1, recorded in 2017 at the age of 80. Preludes book 2 principal composer debussy, claude sheet music. Also recorded here is the second book of preludes, in a poetic and evocative performance. The easiest debussy piano pieces and the most difficult. Compositions of debussy, the number of measures marked piano, and the number of measures marked forte. The second book of preludes for piano represents debussys strong interest in the indefinite and esoteric.
Bach, gave each prelude its own distinct character. One of the easiest pieces in this collection is the girl with the flaxen hair, around a level 9. 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. Debussy established impressionism as a pianistic style and used evocative terms to shed light on the mood or character of each piece. Three years exist between the publication of the first and second book, with the former appearing in 1910. British composer colin matthews is orchestrating all 24 of debussys piano preludes, a project which many will find either foolhardy or sacrilegious. It is characteristic of debussy in its form, harmony, and content. Debussy preludes book 2 free downloadable sheet music. Preludes books 1 and 2 paperback april 1, 1999 by claude debussy composer 4. He was supposedly unhappy to see them programmed whole, preferring pianists to make selections from the sets instead. This paper also includes a brief history of preludes as well as possible influences upon debussy and his compositions.
Aug 19, 2016 debussy did nothing less than liberate music from the domination by functional harmony which had prevailed for three centuries. These works are distinct from debussys images pour orchestre. The introductory pages discuss symbolist poetry, french impressionist painters and debussys musical. These preludes are well known for the unique way in which they are titled. Here he reaches between those two to tackle one of the pinnacles of the piano repertoiredebussys two books of preludes. Debussy wrote two books of preludes published in 1910 and 19 respectively. It is on this narrative based scaffolding that i will hang a more detailed musical analysis.
Impressionism piano sheet music by claude debussy to download and print instantly. Offering 477 pieces of music from the baroque period to the present, music for analysis, eighth edition, is the most comprehensive anthology of its kind. It is the second piece in a set of twelve preludes published in 1910. The paperback of the complete preludes, books 1 and 2. My personal journey through the 24 debussy preludes. There are evocations of calm seascapes, delicate wind tacery, and snowcovered landscapes. Here in his first debussy recording for hyperion he presents the two books of images.
Interpreting discontinuity in the late works of debussy columbia. 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. Musical gestures have meaning that musical gestures are first and foremost is both. Debussys colouristic masterpiece, a bewitching compendium of scents, colours and sounds. 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 most important early example of the prelude being exemplified in the forty eight preludes and fugues of books i and ii of the well tempered clavier. Module 5 analysis of piano repertoire lessons 1 and 2 debussy. Analysis can be a valuable tool for the performer who is seeking solutions to performance problems. Debussys literary inspirations were mostly french, but he did not overlook foreign writers. Claude debussys performance of minstrels from preludes, book i, in the 1912. Nontraditional scales extended harmony traditional chords used in nontraditional context harmonic color tonal ambiguity.
Prelude 10, titled canope in his book of preludes no. Canope, the tenth prelude in book 2, though lightly regarded by. Canope, the tenth prelude in book 2, though lightly regarded by many critics, pre. But the piano playing is superbly brilliant and precise, and the more energetic pieces, like no.
A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude debussy. A different approach to analysis of claude debussys music with examples from preludes, books 1 and 2. Theyre both still quite the challenge for advanced players only. Appraising background information the composer claude debussy 18621918 was the leading french composer of the end of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Musical analysis as a technique for performance decisions in selected preludes by claude debussy a monograph submitted to the graduate faculty of the louisiana state university and agricultural and mechanical college in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of doctor of musical arts in the school of music by. It is meant to depict an ancient egyptian city and egyptian burial urns. 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.
Hinsons suggestions for performance and an analysis of each. This significant compilation of 12 preludes represents debussys mature writing style and is filled with a great diversity of compositional styles. The works in debussys second book of preludes are similar in intent to those of book i 1907 1910. These compositions, while endearing themselves to both pianist and listener, also occupy an important place in musical. Therefore, another defining characteristic of the moment is its in. Chopin, debussy composed twentyfour preludes in two books 1910 and 19. Debussy indicated he was not entirely happy with his two books of preludes, regarding both as somewhat artistically uneven. Although pelleas was debussys only completed opera, he began several opera projects which remained unfinished, his fading concentration, increasing procrastination, and failing health perhaps the reasons.
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