Debussy's twenty-four Preludes are not a cycle in the traditional sense, as they do not follow a rigorous progression of keys like those of Frédéric Chopin.
Composer Biography
Claude Debussy, the composer, was not considered a gifted pianist and often surprised his teachers with his unorthodox playing style.
Composer's Artistic Vision
For his Preludes, Debussy placed the titles at the end of each score as a mere suggestion, thinking in terms of impressions, tones, and colors like a Symbolist poet.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Debussy's music, while prodigiously inventive, did not claim to be avant-garde; he simply expressed the pleasure of playing and discovering new sounds.
Compositional Technique
In his second book of Images, Debussy used three staves to clarify his musical intentions, specifying sound planes and making nuances and phrasing more absolute.
Recording & Production
This recording was made at La Ferme Villefavard on March 26, 27, and 28, 2018, and features a C. Bechstein piano from 1900.
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