Preludes debussy s two books of preludes amount to a revolution in piano writing, and reflect better that any of his other works the span of debussys achievement. Well, debussy obviously agreed but that didnt stop him putting his own stamp on the genre. Any recordings you find of sviatoslav richter playing any of debussy s preludes are also worthy of consideration. Superb playing by the great claudio arrau, arguably the finest pianist since liszt. They may not be the last word in spontaneity or electricity, but they possess sincerity and beauty in full measure, along with an appealing tonal richness. 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. Debussys preludes are given the orchestral treatment with this luscious new album from the royal scottish national orchestra. 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. Among french musics most avantgarde expressions, they also contain some of debussys most atonal sorties. Claude debussy paul jacobs preludes for piano books i. Apr 30, 2011 debussys books of preludes follow a tradition from other composers dating before bach. For book 2, arrau is still excellent but gieseking is the finest recording. Claude debussy paul jacobs preludes for piano books. L numbers are also given from lesures original 1977 catalogue.
Arrau s approach to debussy s music was totally unlike that of gieseking, who was widely regarded as the foremost exponent of the impressionist school. There are, of course, many other complete recordings of the preludes, books iii. Les sons et les parfums tournent dans lair du soir 9. He was too good a composer to imitate debussy, although there are a few examples of direct influence it. He was among the most influential composers of the late 19th and. Claude debussys two books of preludes, implying homage to both chopin and bach, revel in the composers innovative piano techniques. The american pianist ivan ilic who seems to be of serbian origin enters a very competitive arena in terms of debussys piano music and not least the two books of preludes whether it be gieseking, zimerman, roge, bavouzet, arrau particularly in book i, planes and ciccolini, to name just a few very distinguished interpreters of this endlessly fascinating music. Fulfillment by amazon fba is a service we offer sellers that lets them store their products in amazons fulfillment centers, and we. Any recordings you find of sviatoslav richter playing any of debussys preludes are also worthy of consideration. Claude debussy in 1908 this is a complete list of compositions by claude debussy initially categorized by genre, and sorted within each genre by cd citation needed number according to the 2001 revised catalogue by musicologist francois lesure, 1 which is generally in chronological order of composition date. Debussy took great care in assigning these titles, and several contain quotations from various poems. Ricordi preludes book 1 piano solo piano collection.
The paperback of the complete preludes, books 1 and 2. Philips 420 3932 and 420 3942 arraus readings, recorded in 1979, find him in spectacular form. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Both books 1 and 2 of debussys popular piano preludes are contained in this one sturdy volume. Thats simply because book 2 requires a different style than book 1, and gieseking makes each prelude. Feux dartifice is one of debussys most difficult and impressive works. P ierrelaurent aimards muchpublicised recent claim in an interview with a german newspaper that debussy is a greater composer than wagner is by no. Nov 08, 2015 the debussy preludes, which originated as a tribute to chopin, are made for piemontesi. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude debussy. Claudio arrau leon february 7, 1903 june 9, 1991 was a chilean pianist known for his interpretations of a vast repertoire spanning from the baroque to 20thcentury composers, especially. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude. When this reissue of claudio arraus 1973 recording of chopins preludes was released by philips, it was the third reissue of that particular recording released that year. Book i was composed in a short time between december 1909 and february 1910.
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 of bach, where the prelude served to establish the tonal center of the fugue that followed it. Debussys books of preludes follow a tradition from other composers dating before bach. Debussy may have contributed the last important evolution to the prelude. It is thought that bach based his idea off of a series published 20 years before his that had 20 preludes, but there is no evidence that bach was directly. Here in his first debussy recording for hyperion he presents the two books of images. 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. Daniel ericourt books iii ivory classics 73006 4cd priced as 2 vladimir viardo books iii propiano 224525.
Publication date 1910 topics preludes, for piano, scores. Canope preludes, book ii, 19 playing debussys piano works. Debussys colouristic masterpiece, a bewitching compendium of scents, colours and sounds. Acoording to gaby casadesus, debussy delighted in contemplating this print. The first book 1910 proved to be his most successful work. 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. 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 of bach, where the prelude served to. Thats simply because book 2 requires a different style than book 1, and gieseking makes each prelude shine. Achilleclaude debussy august 22, 1862 march 25, 1918 was a french composer.
Claude debussy, preludes, book i debussys preludes are divided into two parts. Also recorded here is the second book of preludes, in a poetic and evocative performance. It served as the inspiration for poisson dor in images book ii. Claude debussys preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. Debussy preludes, book 1 by claude debussy 18621918. Bach was the first to set the tradition of writing 24 to fill out the 24 major and minor keys. Instantly view and print claude debussy piano sheet music online debussy. He is sometimes seen as the first impressionist composer, although he vigorously rejected the term. Use coupon code spring20 at checkout to receive 20% off your order. The purpose of this thesis is to discuss and give a descriptive analysis of twelve of the twentyfour preludes written by claude debussy. Arraus approach to debussys music was totally unlike that of gieseking, who was widely regarded as the foremost exponent of the impressionist school. The twentyfour preludes of debussy are published in two books of twelve preludes each.
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. Claudio arraus classic recordings of debussys preludes from the late 1970s are the yardstick by which i measure other readings of these works. When one thinks of debussy, one thinks of vast, visionary ideas condensed into the confines of the keyboard. Debussys two books of preludes amount to a revolution in piano writing, and reflect better that any of his other works the span of debussys achievement. These compositions, while endearing themselves to both pianist and listener, also occupy an important place in musical history and, like the preludes. Claudio arrau had been playing and recording heavyweight beethoven, brahms, liszt and schumann for so long that his 1979 recording of the first book of debussys preludes must have come as a surprise to many. This paper also includes a brief history of preludes as well as possible influences upon debussy and his compositions.
Three years exist between the publication of the first and second book, with the former appearing in 1910. Although you wont find krystian zimermans ultrarefined fingerwork and wide dynamic range, nor paul jacobs linear perception, theres much to. As he plays debussys book 1 preludes, you notice how effortlessly his arms, hands, and fingers are choreographed to the music. Order of difficulty of debussy preludes is there a general guide to the difficulty of the debussy preludes. Pentatone, the astoundingly clean dutch label, had released a disc coupling arraus 1973 recording of chopins preludes with his 1974 recording of schumanns papillons, and philips, the great dutch label itself, had released. Debussy dover music for piano by debussy, claude isbn. Claude debussy preludes, book i amazon web services. 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. Some pedaling marks at the bottom if these pages were cut off. Unlike some notable collections of preludes from prior times, such as chopins op.
And with both books of preludes completed in 1910 and 19, thats certainly the case. For instant access to the printable sheet music of preludes by debussy and thousands of other classical piano pieces, sign up for a piano street gold membership. Canope preludes, book ii, 19 playing debussys piano. P ierrelaurent aimards muchpublicised recent claim in an interview with a german newspaper that debussy is a. 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. For book 1 though this is the best with gieseking and michelangeli second. 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. These beautiful french works are a must for all pianists. They are still my first choice, however, steven osborne has delivered a very convincing set of preludes that are beautifully recorded. A tracking number is provided with every order directly from amazon, when shipped. Aug 19, 2016 the paradox is that debussy succeeded in a series of piano works starting with estampes in 1903 and culminating in the two books of preludes in 1910 and 1912 respectively in creating what can only be called an impressionist technique. But arrau had played debussy from early in his career, programmed selected pieces in recitals for decades and even recorded the images, estampes and pour le piano for columbia in 1949.