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. Helpful english translations of french terms as well as debussys performance. This significant compilation of 12 preludes represents debussy s mature writing style and is filled with a great diversity of compositional styles. Achilleclaude debussy 22nd august 1862 25th march 1918 was a french composer. 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. Its followed by another sad prelude, feuilles mortes dead leaves. Debussy may have contributed the last important evolution to the prelude. Hinsons suggestions for performance and an analysis of each prelude. Debussy preludes, bk 1 by claude debussy, paperback. Theyre both still quite the challenge for advanced players only. 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. In this prelude we find examples of harmonic procedures commonly used in claude debussys music like. Alfred masterwork library sheet music book by claude debussy 18621918.
The structural outline underlies the score and important motivic, thematic, and harmonic information appears at the time it is heard in the recording. It is possible to easily navigate back and forth through the animation. 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. 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 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. 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. The start of book 1 finds wordsworth speaking from a mature point of view. 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.
A descriptive analysis of the preludes book i of claude debussy thesis presented. Analysis of claude debussys preludes 1827 words bartleby. 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. Debussys book of preludes is some of his most wellknown and last works for solo piano. Debussy preludes, book 1 by claude debussy 18621918.
Included is an outstanding cd recording from the naxos label. He was one of the most important figures in music at the turn of the 20th century. Preludes books 1 and 2 paperback april 1, 1999 by claude debussy composer 4. Soyoung choe performs excerpts from debussys preludes, book 1. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. An analysis of debussys preludes book 1 james omalley submitted in partial fulfilment of ma in performance and musicology nui.
Complete preludes, books 1 and 2 dover music for piano. Recorded live during the marion rubin berman 31 piano honors concert april 12, 2012 in necs jordan hall in boston. Lessons 1 and 2 debussy preludes the student must look for the book the piano works of claude debsusy, by e. Nontraditional scales extended harmony traditional chords used in nontraditional context harmonic color tonal ambiguity. Well, debussy obviously agreed but that didnt stop him putting his own stamp on the genre. In the rewriting process, the language has changed from finnish to english, corrections and changes have been made, and numerous. The body of the poem employs flashbacks to describe the development of the poetic mind during youth. Study composition at the university of the arts in philadelphia. William wordsworths great long autobiographical poem in blank verse, the prelude, has many great passages, and this is one of the best, from the first book of the poem, describing the poets schooldays and his time among nature. Debussys most dramatic contribution to music history was his disregard for traditional chord structures and tonality. I have one other schirmer debussy piano book and this compilation book was what led me to purchase this. My concert programme notes on debussys etudes began to grow and.
Ive invested a lot of passion and faith in the future of. Debussy s music virtually defines the transition from lateromantic music to twentieth century modernist music. The structural outline underlies the score and important motivic, thematic, and harmonic information appears at the time it. 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. This significant compilation of 12 preludes represents debussys mature writing style and is filled with a great diversity of compositional styles.
Claude debussys preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. Preludes, book 1 and 2 the first book of preludes is slightly easier than the second, since the second collection features debussys more mature writing style. Three years exist between the publication of the first and second book, with the former appearing in 1910. A musical analysis music through the microscope book 1 kindle edition by redfern, dr nick. Debussy, pentatonicism, and the tonal tradition jeremy day. Helpful english translations of french terms as well as debussy s performance suggestions are included as well as dr. Musical analysis as a technique for performance decisions in. The first book of preludes is slightly easier than the second, since the second collection features debussy s more mature writing style. Not only is the title full of mystery, but the piece itself leaves the listener in awe and wonder. Unlike some notable collections of preludes from prior times, such as chopins op. The music expresses a vast repertoire of emotions, colors and moods. In addition, perhaps because debussys style is so prone to mannerism. Quietly teeming, delicate, and atmospheric, the texture is dominated by sweeping arpeggios that require a high degree of control on the part of the pianist.
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. 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. These preludes are well known for the unique way in which they are titled. Unlike some notable collections of preludes from prior. An analysis and discussion of the performance of five debussy preludes. From book 1 of william wordsworths the prelude interesting. Browse alfred music from alfred music at sheet music plus.
Debussys literary inspirations were mostly french, but he did not overlook foreign writers. It is a very descriptive book where all the formal, structural, harmonic and contextual analysis of the work can be found. Despite the research i have done regarding the title, the results i have found are still only speculation. This paper also includes a brief history of preludes as well as possible influences upon debussy and his compositions. Cookies allow us to personalize content and ads, to provide social mediarelated features and analyze our traffic.
These works have been central to stevens repertoire for many years and he brings them to the studio after. Mikhail pletnev plays debussy preludes book 1 live 1995 duration. In addition, perhaps because debussys style is so prone to mannerism, several of the preludes in book ii bear strong similarities to those from the earlier set. Each one has a different descriptive title that gives.
An analysis of the harmonic unity of debussys prelude a l. From book 1 of william wordsworths the prelude william wordsworths great long autobiographical poem in blank verse, the prelude, has many great passages, and this is one of the best, from the first book of the poem, describing the poets schooldays and his time among nature. It is the sixth piece in the composers first book of preludes, written between late 1909 and early 1910. 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. Voiles da preludi, libro i, per pianoforte debussy voiles preludes, book 1 no. Claude debussy s preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. Some pedaling marks at the bottom if these pages were cut off. Prelude 10, titled canope in his book of preludes no. The easiest debussy piano pieces and the most difficult. A musical analysis music through the microscope book 1 kindle edition this document is a meticulously detailed analysis of debussys revolutionary score prelude a lapresmidi dun.
Songs around the word i offer thee by allen ridout 1. Brouillards pascal roge, piano some see connection with this prelude and the paintings of the time by whistler and turner that were full of mists, hiding and revealing what lay behind them. Walter morse rummel, piano complete first pub lication. Chapter 1 introduction analysis can be a valuable tool for the performer who is seeking solutions to performance problems. My analysis of canope debussy preludes for piano, book ii. Pollini plays 2 preludes by debussy as encores in japan. Three years exist between the publication of the first and second book, with the former appearing.
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. One of the easiest pieces in this collection is the girl with the flaxen hair, around a. Helpful english translations of french terms as well as debussys performance suggestions are included as well as dr. They were composed and published in two books of twelve. The title is in french and translates to footprints in the snow the piece is 36 measures long and takes approximately three and a half to four and a half minutes to play. Claude debussy was a leading composer of the early 20th. We also share information on the use of our site with our social media partners, advertising and analytics, which can combine them with other information you have provided to them or collected in your use of their services. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude debussy. The description of the hill looming up as a young wordsworth. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude. Tonality and form in debussys prelude a lapresmidi dun faune matthew brown seventyfive years after his death, debussy is often remembered as the quiet revolutionary, who breathed new life into musical art. Debussys twentyfour preludes are among the composers last and bestknown works for piano. These compositions, while endearing themselves to both pianist and listener, also occupy an important place in musical. An analysis and discussion of the performance of five debussy.
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