Any recordings you find of sviatoslav richter playing any of debussys preludes are also worthy of consideration. Pascal roges collection of debussys preludes marks both the launch. Jan 22, 2009 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. These works have been central to stevens repertoire for many years and he brings them to the. Jacobs, and zimerman in both books, as well as arrau, dino ciani, and countless other pianists in one book or in selections from both. Unlike some notable collections of preludes from prior times, such as chopins op. Complete preludes, books 1 and 2 dover music for piano debussy, claude on. This paper also includes a brief history of preludes as well as possible influences upon debussy and his compositions. This recording presents the first books of both the preludes and the images, works in which debussy found his mature piano style, full of unheard colours, atmospheres and perfumes, each with a. 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. This significant compilation of 12 preludes represents debussys mature writing style and is filled with a great diversity of compositional styles. Both books 1 and 2 of debussys popular piano preludes are contained in this one sturdy volume. Debussy preludes 112 book 1 complete paul barton, feurich. 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.
The titles are provided at the end of each prelude and left without dedication, with inspiration. The present release in emis great recordings of the century series marks the third time giesekings 1953 versions are reissued on cd. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude debussy. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. 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.
Recorded live during the marion rubin berman 31 piano honors concert april 12, 2012 in necs jordan hall in boston. Maurizio pollinis main qualities as an artist are neither humor nor abundance of keyboard color. Here in his first debussy recording for hyperion he presents the two books of images. Hes recorded the first set of debussy preludes, but not the second, so this is his first go at both. 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. Thats simply because book 2 requires a different style than book 1, and gieseking makes each prelude shine. Chandos records is one of the worlds premier classical music record companies, best known for. Ricordi preludes book 1 piano solo piano collection. Order of difficulty of debussy preludes is there a general guide to the difficulty of the debussy preludes. Unlike previous collections of preludes, such as those of j.
Claude debussy is one of the greatest pianists of all time and one of the most prominent composers connected with. This album contains the preludes, books 1 and 2 by debussy, presented by piano classics, a label of brilliant classics. Chandos records is one of the worlds premier classical music record companies, best known for its ground breaking search for neglected musical gems. Three years exist between the publication of the first and second book, with the former appearing in 1910. The set by paul jacobs was the benchmark to which i compared all other.
P ierrelaurent aimards muchpublicised recent claim in an interview with a german newspaper that debussy is a. He, in so many words, called the performance superficial, citing a failure by the pianist to internalize the music. You get two discs for the price of one here, but the discs are only about 42 and 43 minutes worth. They are divided into two separate livres, or books, of twelve preludes each. Debussys piano pieces require deep thought and understanding. 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. A novelty about these preludes is that the titles are not printed as a header above the first page, but as a footer on the last page, almost like an afterthought, suggesting that the title is inspired by the music and not the other way around. 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. Influenced by chopin, debussy composed twentyfour preludes in two books 1910 and 19. Also recorded here is the second book of preludes, in a poetic and evocative performance. 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. Preludes books 1 and 2 paperback april 1, 1999 by claude debussy composer 4. Similarly, the great german pianist walter gieseking seemed to have dibs on the debussy preludes.
This significant compilation of 12 preludes represents debussy s mature writing style and is filled with a great diversity of compositional styles. The performances tell it like it is or almost, for not all debussys very demanding contrasts of dynamics are observed, and i imagine collard has small hands, though she. 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. The twentyfour preludes of debussy are published in two books of twelve preludes each. The paperback of the complete preludes, books 1 and 2. A new album from marcandre hamelin is always cause for celebration. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude. Achilleclaude debussy 22nd august 1862 25th march 1918 was a french composer. These compositions, while endearing themselves to both pianist and listener, also occupy an important place in musical history and, like the preludes.
Among french musics most avantgarde expressions, they also contain some of debussys most atonal sorties. Superb playing by the great claudio arrau, arguably the finest pianist since liszt. For book 2, arrau is still excellent but gieseking is the finest recording. Debussys colouristic masterpiece, a bewitching compendium of scents, colours and sounds. He was one of the most important figures in music at the turn of the 20th century.
Recording this debussy repertoire for the first time on cd, nelson freire s soulful interpretation of these expansive impressionistic jewels of the. Helpful english translations of french terms as well as debussy s performance. There are evocations of calm seascapes, delicate wind tracery, and snowcovered landscapes. 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. After hearing osborne on this recording, i couldnt disagree more. Soyoung choe performs excerpts from debussys preludes, book 1. Claudio arraus classic recordings of debussys preludes from the late 1970s are the yardstick by which i measure other readings of these works. His 193839 versions were staples of the 78 rpm catalog, as well as his 1951 and 1953 lp remakes. Debussy dover music for piano by debussy, claude isbn.
Some pedaling marks at the bottom if these pages were cut off. This blog is dedicated to discussion of the performance of the piano pieces of claude debussy. Flex your piano fingers with these 7 easiest debussy preludes and piano pieces. P ierrelaurent aimards muchpublicised recent claim in an interview with a german newspaper that debussy is a greater composer than wagner is by no. Ilya itin, piano this video was recorded at the golandsky institute international piano festival at. Debussy may have contributed the last important evolution to the prelude. Now, these happen to be among the requisites necessary to play debussys preludes in the right frame of mind lets not speak about that woolly notion called style. Debussy preludes, book 1 by claude debussy 18621918. He was too good a composer to imitate debussy, although there are a few examples of direct influence it. They are still my first choice, however, steven osborne has delivered a very convincing set of preludes that are beautifully recorded. I checked freires debussy preludes out from the library, gave it a brief distracted listen and returned it, thinking it was boring. Claude debussy s preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. Here he reaches between those two to tackle one of the pinnacles of the piano repertoiredebussys two books of preludes. Claude debussys preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each.
Playing debussys piano works an amateurs thoughts about. Any recordings you find of sviatoslav richter playing any of debussy s preludes are also worthy of consideration. Helpful english translations of french terms as well as debussys performance. Ilya itin, piano this video was recorded at the golandsky institute international piano festival at princeton university. Complete preludes, books 1 and 2 dover music for piano. Daniel ericourt books iii ivory classics 73006 4cd priced as 2 vladimir viardo books iii propiano 224525. Apr 03, 2014 they are divided into two separate livres, or books, of twelve preludes each. Debussy preludes, bk 2 by claude debussy, paperback.
Claude debussys two books of preludes, implying homage to both chopin and bach, revel in the composers innovative piano techniques. The purpose of this thesis is to discuss and give a descriptive analysis of twelve of the twentyfour preludes written by claude debussy. This viewer request recording of debussy preludes book 1 is for jules hall in sheffield, england. The music expresses a vast repertoire of emotions, colors and moods. 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. Unlike some notable collections of preludes from prior. There are, of course, many other complete recordings of the preludes, books iii.
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. The titles are provided at the end of each prelude and left without dedication, with inspiration from impressionist artwork, literature, and nature. Preludes changed around the time of chopin when they became freestanding. Claude debussy composed his two books of preludes between late 1909 and early 19. Later, because salzburg is one of argerichs finest cds, i listened again to this freire cd with more patience, realized it is great playing, and bought it an amazon verified purchase. Im only an amateur pianist, but have been playing debussys piano works since the late 70s.