This analysis of the fourth piece from debussys preludes book i illustrates typical harmonic techniques of debussy as manipulations of harmonic qualities. The first book was composed between 1901 and 1905, and the second book was composed in 1907. An analysis of the harmonic unity of debussys prelude a l. 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. Recorded live during the marion rubin berman 31 piano honors concert april 12, 2012 in necs jordan hall in boston. Example 1, cited by reti, is according to him, representative of melodic tonality.
An analysis of this example will best explain melodic tonality. Claude debussy was a leading composer of the early 20th. Debussy preludes, book 1 by claude debussy 18621918. This is not an example of the work produced by our essay writing service. Buy 1, get 1 50% off new members save 20% today 30% off hardcover bestsellers 30% off kpop collectibles board books. But the piano playing is superbly brilliant and precise, and the more energetic pieces, like no. Soyoung choe performs excerpts from debussys preludes, book 1. In this prelude we find examples of harmonic procedures commonly used in claude debussy s music like. Browse alfred music from alfred music at sheet music plus. His paper uses this lens to interpret the unfolding of the piece and he.
Harmonic qualities in debussys les sons et les parfums. Both books 1 and 2 of debussys popular piano preludes are contained in this one sturdy volume. 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. Helpful english translations of french terms as well as debussy s. Tonality in the first book of debussys preludes semantic scholar. Figures, table and examples may be found in the back of this paper. Despite the research i have done regarding the title, the results i have found are still only speculation. Songs around the word i offer thee by allen ridout 1. Debussys preludes were written quicklyhe wrote book i between.
The start of book 1 finds wordsworth speaking from a mature point of view. Theyre both still quite the challenge for advanced players only. An analysis of the harmonic unity of debussys prelude a lapresmidi dun faune a thesis submitted to the faculty of thomas aquinas college in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of bachelor of arts by david isaac advisor. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude. This significant compilation of 12 preludes represents debussy s mature writing style and is filled with a great diversity of compositional styles. This material is amalgamated with the poets adult views of philosophy and art those views held during the writing and endless revision of the prelude, roughly from 1799. 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.
Cooke uses the example of the two note slur from a minor sixth to a major fifth of the scale. Debussy preludes book 2 free downloadable sheet music. These works are distinct from debussy s images pour orchestre. Impressionism in this instance intending a type of plan music which aimed to arouse tempers and feelings through tone coloring material and harmoniousness.
The easiest debussy piano pieces and the most difficult. An analytical study of the debussy preludes for piano. Schirmer library of classics volume 2001 piano solo paperback. My personal journey through the 24 debussy preludes. The music expresses a vast repertoire of emotions, colors and moods. 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. Three years exist between the publication of the first and second book, with the former appearing in 1910.
Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. 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. The first book of preludes is slightly easier than the second, since the second collection features debussy s more mature writing style. 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. Claude debussys preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. Helpful english translations of french terms as well as debussy s performance. The paperback of the complete preludes, books 1 and 2. Perforations along the edge of the paper roll indicated dynamics. But presumably it must have drawn attention to his new debussy recording, which neatly fits both books of piano preludes on to a single disc. The titles are provided at the end of each prelude and left without dedication, with inspiration from impressionist artwork, literature, and nature. Nontraditional scales extended harmony traditional chords used in nontraditional context harmonic color tonal ambiguity. The girl with the flaxen hair is almost a plain jane here, and the sounds and scents of the evening scarcely linger as impalpable impressions.
Debussy s music virtually defines the transition from lateromantic music to twentieth century modernist music. Debussy s book of preludes is some of his most wellknown and last works for solo piano. Debussy dover music for piano by claude debussy isbn. This introduction section a includes d minor and ddorian right next to each other. Chapter 1 introduction 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. 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. They were published in two booksseries, each consisting of three pieces.
Mme vasnier must have been an accomplished singer because these songs really showcase a coloratura sopranos abilities. Analysis the piece starts with an introduction from measures 17. Before delving into an analysis of debussys performances i intend to first discuss the. The purpose of this thesis is to discuss and give a descriptive analysis of twelve of the twentyfour preludes written by claude debussy. List of books and articles about claude debussy online. Evolving performance practice of debussys piano preludes. Walshs primary focus on the music means the biography is at times light on anecdote and psychological analysis. Debussy preludes, bk 1 alfred masterwork edition debussy, claude, hinson, maurice on. Debussy s book of preludes are some of his most wellknown and last works for. There are several works in which wholetone harmony plays an important role, such as cloches a travers les feuilles,i from images book 1 1905, and voiles, from preludes book 1 1909. By chance, i came across a research methods book, transforming self and others. 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.
My analysis of canope debussy preludes for piano, book. The title of the piece may be translated to english as either veils or sails. To give an example of debussys opinion on an ideal music. Except for some mild, localized chromaticism and a short pentatonic passage, the entire piece uses the whole. Not only is the title full of mystery, but the piece. Musical analysis as a technique for performance decisions in. As part of an ma dissertation scott presented his own logicodeductive form of analysis based on hattens theories of music and gesture. As he plays debussy s book 1 preludes, you notice how effortlessly his arms, hands, and fingers are choreographed to the music. Ce qua vu le vent douest what the west wind saw beautifully disturbing. Debussys book of preludes is some of his most wellknown and last works for solo piano. Chopin, debussy composed twentyfour preludes in two books 1910 and 19.
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 first book of preludes is slightly easier than the second, since the second collection features debussys more mature writing style. Scotts analysis a similar study to my own regarding gestural analysis has been conducted by douglas scott on mozarts flute quartet in d, k285. Gifted from his early years with a preternatural and keen understanding of writing for the piano, this cd displays debussys prodigious gifts in full display as rendered by baldis sensitive playing. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude debussy.
Images usually pronounced in french is a suite of six compositions for solo piano by claude debussy. It is a typical illustration of his impressionist composing manner. Part biography, part criticism, and part analysis, this fascinating study of one of musics greatest geniuses is above all an authoritative commentary on the entire corpus of debussy s work for solo piano. Complete preludes, books 1 and 2 dover music for piano claude debussy on. The body of the poem employs flashbacks to describe the development of the poetic mind during youth. Debussy preludes, bk 1 alfred masterwork edition skip to main content.
It is a typical example of his impressionist composition style, impressionism in this case meaning a type of program music which aimed to evoke moods and impressions through tone colour and harmony. As he plays debussys book 1 preludes, you notice how effortlessly his arms, hands, and fingers are choreographed to the music. The next few measures go through a series of stacked chord progressions that eventually come full circle back to d. Analysis the piece starts with an introduction from measures 1 7. These compositions, while endearing themselves to both pianist and listener, also occupy an important place in musical. Analysis of claude debussys preludes 1827 words bartleby. Alfred masterwork library sheet music book by claude debussy 18621918. Dovers book of debussy preludes is made of extremely high quality print on heavier paper than usual. Here, in one volume, are two bodies of work that, perhaps more than any others, reveal the essence of claude debussy s extraordinary expressiveness and his innovative gifts for musical imagery. Buy 1, get 1 50% off hardcover new releases from 20% off next. Analysis of claude debussys preludes 1827 words apr 1, 2016 8 pages 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.
Debussy preludes, bk 1 by claude debussy, paperback. Adopting the major piano works including the preludes, bartok absorbed the liberated message as deeply as he absorbed the idiom of the hungarian peasant. Aug 19, 2016 the composer who benefited most from this liberation was bartok, who was introduced to debussys music by kodaly in 1907. My analysis of canope debussy preludes for piano, book ii. Complete preludes, books 1 and 2 dover music for piano. After traveling in europe and russia, debussy settled down in paris in 1887 and devoted himself to composing for the rest of his life. 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 innovative gifts for musical imagery. In addition, perhaps because debussy s style is so prone to mannerism. Appraising background information the composer claude debussy 18621918 was the leading french composer of the end of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. One of the easiest pieces in this collection is the girl with the flaxen hair, around a. This paper also includes a brief history of preludes as well as possible influences upon debussy and his compositions. They were published in two books series, each consisting of three pieces. Prelude 10, titled canope in his book of preludes no. Voiles is a composition by claude debussy for solo piano from 1909.
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