Debussy preludes, bk 1 alfred masterwork edition debussy, claude, hinson, maurice on. My analysis of canope debussy preludes for piano, book. These compositions, while endearing themselves to both pianist and listener, also occupy an important place in musical history and, like the preludes of chopin, rachmaninoff and scriabin. 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.
Les collines danacapri, from preludes, books i victor. The twentyfour preludes of debussy are published in two books of twelve preludes each. This album contains the preludes, books 1 and 2 by debussy, presented by piano classics, a label of brilliant classics. Parting the veils of debussy s voiles page 47 doesnt feel as it should and by some sense of the poetic penumbra that still. Complete preludes, books 1 and 2 dover music for piano claude debussy. Analysis debussy voiles claude debussy elements of. The prelude is a lively scherzolike piece, mingled with elements of the tarantella, and interspersed.
It is a very descriptive book where all the formal, structural, harmonic and contextual analysis of the work can be found. Except for some mild, localized chromaticism and a short pentatonic passage, the entire piece uses the whole. For 20 years we provide a free and legal service for free sheet music without asking you anything in exchange. Some pedaling marks at the bottom if these pages were cut off. Voiles is a composition by claude debussy for solo piano from 1909. It was inspired by the town of anacapri on the island of capri, off the coast of italy, which the composer frequently visited. Disconnected perspective, the stanza s disorient readers and reflect the fragmented nature of the city, also conveyed in the mention of disembodied humans parts. Chopin, debussy composed twentyfour preludes in two books 1910 and 19. He was too good a composer to imitate debussy, although there are a few examples of direct influence it. Debussy preludes the student must look for the book the piano works of claude debsusy, by e.
If you use and like, thank you to consider support donation. Feb 21, 2018 i t has taken maurizio pollini almost 20 years to complete his survey of debussys preludes his recording of the first book appeared in 1999. 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 debussys preludes for piano. Analysis of claude debussys preludes 1827 words bartleby. Claude debussy was a leading composer of the early twentieth century known for his impressionistic style and use of nontraditional scales and tonalities as well as chromaticism. Walter morse rummel, piano complete first pub lication. The structural outline underlies the score and important motivic, thematic, and harmonic information appears at the time it.
Well, debussy obviously agreed but that didnt stop him putting his own stamp on the genre. Bruyeres pascal roge, piano debussy returns to the world of the popular music stage with general lavine eccentric. Nontraditional scales extended harmony traditional chords used in nontraditional context harmonic color tonal ambiguity. The preludes perspective shifts through narration representing different ideas, both negative and positive, relating to people and their relationship with society in the city. Les collines danacapri the hills of anacapri is the fifth prelude of debussys first book of preludes. Scotts analysis a similar study to my own regarding gestural analysis has been conducted by douglas scott on mozarts flute quartet in d, k285. Debussys book of preludes are some of his most wellknown and last works for solo piano. Analysis of claude debussy s canope 77 words bartleby.
A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude debussy. The structural outline underlies the score and important motivic, thematic, and harmonic information appears at the time it is heard in the recording. 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. Debussy canope from preludes, book ii 1910 diagram the form create a bubble diagram using themes labeled with letters. In this prelude we find examples of harmonic procedures commonly used in claude debussys music like. Each book was written in a matter of months, at an unusually fast pace for debussy. Helpful english translations of french terms as well as debussy s performance. This significant compilation of 12 preludes represents debussys mature writing style and is filled with a great diversity of compositional styles. An analysis of the harmonic unity of debussys prelude a l. This significant compilation of 12 preludes represents debussy s mature writing style and is filled with a great diversity of compositional styles.
In addition, perhaps because debussys style is so prone to. Claude debussy feux dartifice, from preludes, book ii. Originally recorded in 1953 and 1954 in monaural sound, walter giesekings magisterial performances of debussy s preludes were first released on cd in 1987 as a single disc, and they have been reissued in various guises many times since. Prelude 10, titled canope in his book of preludes no. Claude debussys preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. Melodic analysis of debussys prelude a lapresmidi dun faune. 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. The titles are provided at the end of each prelude and left without dedication, with inspiration from impressionist artwork, literature, and nature. As part of an ma dissertation scott presented his own logicodeductive form of analysis based on hattens theories of music and gesture. Notice how debussy uses both extremes of the keyboard. Debussys book of preludes is some of his most wellknown and last works for solo piano.
These compositions, while endearing themselves to both pianist and listener, also occupy an important place in musical. Not only is the title full of mystery, but the piece. 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. Parting the veils of debussys voiles page 47 doesnt feel as it should and by some sense of the poetic penumbra that still. 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. My analysis of canope debussy preludes for piano, book ii. The works in debussys second book of preludes 1910 19 are similar in intent to those of book i 1907 1910. Claude debussy was a leading composer of the early 20th century known for his impressionistic style and use of nontraditional scales and tonalities as well as chromaticism.
Aug 19, 2016 debussy did nothing less than liberate music from the domination by functional harmony which had prevailed for three centuries. Debussys twentyfour preludes are among the composers last and bestknown works for piano. Book i was written between december 1909 and february 1910, and book ii between the last months. As he plays debussys book 1 preludes, you notice how effortlessly his arms, hands, and fingers are choreographed to the music.
Debussy, pentatonicism, and the tonal tradition jeremy day. This paper also includes a brief history of preludes as well as possible influences upon debussy and his compositions. Four pieces from book i have this construction in common. Claude debussys use of the tritone the book of threes. Three years exist between the publication of the first and second book, with the former appearing in 1910. Originally recorded in 1953 and 1954 in monaural sound, walter giesekings magisterial performances of debussys preludes were first released on cd in 1987 as a single disc, and they have been reissued in various guises many times since.
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. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude. They were composed and published in two books of twelve. Societe musicale independante, claude debussy piano 19110503 in paris, salle pleyel complete jane mortier piano first pub lication. The title of the piece may be translated to english as either veils or sails. Built by pairing two major triads a tritone apart, and then placing those notes in scale order, the tritone scale brings a nice level of tension to your lines that you can use to build energy when soloing over 7th chords in a jazz or fusion context. Agraph of the melody of the prelude, simplified by enharmonic change. These compositions, while endearing themselves to both pianist and. Edition peters preludes by claude debussy compositions compositions. In this prelude we find examples of harmonic procedures commonly used in claude debussy s music like. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book i of claude debussy thesis presented. As for his piano compositions, after he completed the second book of preludes the only.
Each book contains twelve preludes for the piano, many of them known to todays musical audiences because of their great popularity with pianists worldwide. Analysis debussy voiles claude debussy elements of music. Gieseking more or less owned these pieces during his lifetime and his performances have been judged as. Debussy preludes, bk 2 alfred masterwork edition debussy, claude, hinson, maurice on. The ending of this movement is one of debussys best moments.
The purpose of this thesis is to discuss and give a descriptive analysis of twelve of the twentyfour preludes written by claude debussy. These preludes are well known for the unique way in which they are titled. Helpful english translations of french terms as well as debussys performance. It is the second piece in a set of twelve preludes published in 1910. Though the method of development in the preludes varies, debussys themes in. 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. Maybe i am a lazy pianist but i like editions that have some fingering suggestions so i dont have so. I have one other schirmer debussy piano book and this compilation book was what led me to purchase this set of preludes.
Appendix bapproach to melodic analysis debussys use of sameness and continuity in melody fig. Preludes book 2 principal composer debussy, claude sheet music. The music expresses a vast repertoire of emotions, colors and moods. Gieseking more or less owned these pieces during his lifetime and his performances have been judged as definitive by many critics since they were first issued. Analysis can be a valuable tool for the performer who is seeking solutions to performance problems. Unlike some notable collections of preludes from prior times, such as chopins op. Despite the research i have done regarding the title, the results i have found are still only speculation. Debussy preludes, book 1 by claude debussy 18621918. Claude debussys preludes are two sets of pieces for solo piano. For all that variety, which invites players to pick and choose among them, they are also true cycles, and the composer gave some thought to the sequence in each book.
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