Noriko Ogawa, the pianist on this recording, was awarded the Japanese Ministry of Education's Art Prize in 1999 for her outstanding contribution to Japan's cultural profile worldwide.
Historical Context
Debussy's Berceuse héroïque, a lullaby with a heroic character, was his only work for the first nine months of World War I, written as a tribute to King Albert of Belgium and his people.
Composition History
Debussy likely intended to compose 24 preludes in total, following the tradition of Chopin and Bach, as indicated by the title of his first book, 'Préludes pour piano, 1er livre'.
Compositional Technique
Debussy often 'hid' the titles of his Préludes as footnotes at the end of each piece's score, illustrating his belief that the music should be listened to, not interpreted as stories.
Composition History
Debussy's ballet La Boîte à joujoux, based on a story by French writer André Hellé, was inspired by his daughter Chouchou's old dolls.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Claude Debussy believed it was unnecessary for music to make people think, only to make them listen.
Composer Biography
Debussy completed his Elégie just one week after undergoing surgery for cancer, an illness he had suffered from for years and from which he would not recover.
You might also enjoy...
Debussy: Piano Music, Vol. 2
Claude Debussy, Complete Works for Piano Solo, Vol Ii
Debussy: Piano Works
Debussy: Images Books 1 & 2/Arabesques/Rêverie etc.
