It is the second piece in a set of twelve preludes published in 1910. Preludes, book 1 piano solo sheet music alfred publishing. The twentyfour preludes of debussy are published in two books of twelve preludes each. Please let me know if youre interested in doing one or more or all of them. Ashkenazys illuminating debussy preludes classics today. Maurizio pollinis main qualities as an artist are neither humor nor abundance of keyboard color. 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. These compositions, while endearing themselves to both pianist and listener, also occupy an important place in musical. 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 debussy s achievement. Types of triplets found in piano compositions of debussy and places where they are found. Instrumentation piano external links centre de documentation claude debussy. Previous sheet music next sheet music voiles claude debussy. The excerpt in figure l is the main melody of voiles as it opens the piece and constantly reappears throughout the piece as a repetitive motif.
Aug 19, 2016 debussy did nothing less than liberate music from the domination by functional harmony which had prevailed for three centuries. This significant compilation of 12 preludes represents debussy s mature writing style and is filled with a great diversity of compositional styles. Here we have the famous two books of preludes that were written in 1910 and 19. As he plays debussy s book 1 preludes, you notice how effortlessly his arms, hands, and fingers are. In his later works, debussy took greater chances, implementing more nonresolving dissonances selfproclaimed floating chords and fragmented forms. Compositions of debussy, the number of measures marked piano, and the number of measures marked forte. Claude debussy s preludes are two sets of pieces for solo piano, written in 191010 and 1912, and published as book i and ii respectively. Use of the whole tone scale in debussy s voiles, prelude. Among the most important 20th century composers, and the most influential. Preludes, an album by claude debussy, krystian zimerman on spotify we and our partners use cookies to personalize your experience, to show you ads based on your interests, and for measurement and analytics purposes. As seen in figure l, while maintaining the same right hand melody, debussy adds not just one, but two melodic lines under. This paper also includes a brief history of preludes as well as possible influences upon debussy and his compositions. Yet, in its ethereal manner, voiles sails takes the listener into an altogether different world, or perhaps into two different worlds.
Theyre both still quite the challenge for advanced players only. One of the easiest pieces in this collection is the girl with the flaxen hair, around a. P ierrelaurent aimards muchpublicised recent claim in an interview with a german newspaper that debussy is a greater composer than wagner is by no. Book i stems from studio sessions held in october 2017, and, happy to report, ashkenazys 80yearold fingers prove impressively responsive to debussy s mercurial shifts in. Inspired by the performances of the american dancer loie fuller, whose scarf dances were.
Voiles, number 2 from book i of debussy s preludes. A special treat is nuit detoiles starry night, debussy s first published work. Other debussian devices include the regarding of the seventh chord e. 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. Claude debussy s preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. Societe musicale independante, claude debussy piano 19110503 in paris, salle pleyel complete jane mortier piano first pub lication. Often dubbed a musical impressionist, but his music always has a strong sense of form. Use of the whole tone scale in debussys voiles, prelude. Debussy preludes, book 1 by claude debussy 18621918. Claude debussy masterpieces piano solo score dover publications.
Sviatoslav richter plays debussy preludes book i duration. Voiles, from debussy s first book of preludes, certainly displays some of debussy s compositional affinities. Voiles, from debussys first book of preludes, certainly displays some of debussys compositional affinities. Chopin, debussy composed twentyfour preludes in two books 1910 and 19. The first book of preludes is slightly easier than the second, since the second collection features debussy s more mature writing style. The music becomes more dramatic toward the end of the set.
Datetime dimensions user comment 15 december 2011, 14. Except for some mild, localized chromaticism and a short pentatonic passage, the entire piece uses the whole. Les sons et les parfums tournent dans lair du soir. Debussy preludes, book 1 download free sheet music. Book 2 was started in late 1912 and finished in april 19. 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. Helpful english translations of french terms as well as debussy s performance. Although vladimir ashkenazy no longer performs in concert as a pianist, he continues to record and to explore new repertoire, such as the complete debussy preludes. Walter morse rummel, piano complete first pub lication. Included are english translations of french terms, debussy s performance. 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. Francesco piemontesi has based his work on this essential composition upon a new edition durandsalaberteschig, codirected by renowned french piano music. In 2008, i finished the first that i know of complete orchestration of debussy s first book of preludes for piano.
Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Except for some mild, localized chromaticism and a short pentatonic passage, the entire piece uses. Orchestra band sheet music symphonic orchestra claude debussy. 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. Claude debussy preludes download piano sheet music. Despite some brilliant individual preludes, ive over time arrived at the position time that they are some of claude debussy s most overrated music. Three years exist between the publication of the first and second book, with the former appearing in 1910. The first book 1910 proved to be his most successful work. The easiest debussy piano pieces and the most difficult. Though cathedral is scheduled for a performance, the rest remain undone. Jan 09, 2010 voiles, number 2 from book i of debussys preludes. Hyacinth talk contribs created by using sibelius 5. Prelude voiles, book 1 no 2 prelude voiles book 1 no 2.
There are evocations of calm seascapes, delicate wind tracery, and snowcovered landscapes. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude debussy. That this was general we can to some extent see from the sales figures quoted by roy howat. The first three volumes are just as successful debussy. Stream adfree with amazon music unlimited on mobile, desktop, and tablet. The title of the piece may be translated to english as either veils or sails. Debussy did nothing less than liberate music from the domination by functional harmony which had prevailed for three centuries. Preludes, book ialfred cortot, pianohmv 78rpm discs 9578 9582 14267 14756recorded in 193031digital transfer by f.
The titles are provided at the end of each prelude and left without dedication, with inspiration from impressionist artwork, literature, and nature. 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. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude. I would argue the tonality of this piece as being primarily based in c major. Playing debussys piano works an amateurs thoughts about playing debussy. As for his piano compositions, after he completed the second book of preludes the only.
Voiles da preludi, libro i, per pianoforte debussy voiles preludes, book 1 no. 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. Dressed in a chic tan turtleneck, untucked, but with a belt clasped around it, arturo benedetti michelangeli sits at the piano in an intimate studio in october, 1978. Some pedaling marks at the bottom if these pages were cut off. Claude debussys preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. In voiles, debussy uses a slightly different approach to layering his melodies. Debussy began book 1 in december 1909, finishing it 2 months later in february 1910. The purpose of this thesis is to discuss and give a descriptive analysis of twelve of the twentyfour preludes written by claude debussy. Claude debussy composed the second book of preludes during 1910 12.