But giesekings debussy shouldnt be considered a controversial choice given its popularity. But presumably it must have drawn attention to his new debussy recording, which neatly fits both books of. Influenced by chopin, debussy composed twentyfour preludes in two books 1910 and 19. For many, walter giesekings debussy is definitive, and perhaps nowhere more. Giesekings boundless coloristic resources, supersubtle pedaling, and nearclairvoyant ability to tap into the composers elusive sense of fantasy remain points of reference to this. Gieseking was an extraordinary stylist and perhaps the centurys greatest sonorist. The complete works for piano walter gieseking on allmusic 1997. Stream adfree with amazon music unlimited on mobile, desktop, and tablet. Giesekings insight and iridescence in debussy are so compelling and hypnotic. Here he reaches between those two to tackle one of the pinnacles of the piano repertoiredebussys two books of preludes. Walter gieseking claude debussy the complete piano works. Soyoung choe performs excerpts from debussys preludes, book 1.
Giesekings brilliant debussy preludes in superlative xr remasters only a supremely optimistic or a very vain pianist will attempt to record these preludes now that gieseking has for many, walter giesekings debussy is definitive, and perhaps nowhere more so than here, in the preludes. A descriptive analysis of the preludes book 1 of claude. Giesekings insight and iridescence in debussy are so compelling and hypnotic that they prompt either a book or a blank page an unsatisfactory state where criticism or read more assessment is concerned. Like a grading from easiest to hardest would be appreciated. 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. A mong the emerging generation of pianists, francesco piemontesi has been highly praised as a keyboard poet to set alongside igor levits. The swiss pianist revels in debussys world of colour. They are played by the legendary walter gieseking and were recorded in 1953 and 1955 the preludes and 1954 the other works on the second cd.
These compositions, while endearing themselves to both pianist and listener, also occupy an important place in musical history and, like the preludes. The twentyfour preludes of debussy are published in two books of twelve preludes each. The individual insights are endless, so is the extraordinary feeling for the musics evocation and atmosphere. Buy a cd or vinyl record and get 90 days free amazon music unlimited with the purchase of a cd or vinyl record dispatched from and sold by amazon, you get 90 days free access to the amazon music unlimited individual plan. His 193839 versions were staples of the 78 rpm catalog, as well as his 1951 and 1953 lp remakes. 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. Walter gieseking plays debussy preludes book ii, no. Complete your debussy, walter gieseking collection. The names go together like beethoven and schnabel, copland and bernstein, and other great composerperformer pairs in recorded music. Preludes changed around the time of chopin when they became freestanding. Walter gieseking plays debussy by debussy, claude, 18621918.
The titles are provided at the end of each prelude and left without dedication, with inspiration. After traveling in europe and russia, debussy settled down in paris in 1887 and devoted himself to composing for the rest of his life. This double cd contains a very generous collection of major debussy piano works including both books of preludes, pour the piano, estampes, both sets of images and childrens corner. 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. Perhaps the only caveat would be skepticism over what sacd remastering could do with the. Similarly, the great german pianist walter gieseking seemed to have dibs on the debussy preludes. By using our website and our services, you agree to our use. The purpose of this thesis is to discuss and give a descriptive analysis of twelve of the twentyfour preludes written by claude debussy. Walter gieseking plays debussy preludes book 1 vinyl discogs.
This paper also includes a brief history of preludes as well as possible influences upon debussy and his compositions. Jul 19, 2011 mix walter gieseking plays debussy preludes book i, no. News pristine classical 3 may 20 walter gieseking plays. 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. Sacdrof walter gieseking claude debussy the complete. Jul 19, 2011 walter gieseking plays debussy preludes book i, no. There are still those who hold the old prejudice about the allegedly scholarly german musician playing the delicate piano works of debussy but a few bars of any the works here will put that ridiculous and nonsensical argument to rest. Three years exist between the publication of the first and second book, with the former appearing in 1910. Walter gieseking plays debussy preludes book 1 discogs. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
These beautiful french works are a must for all pianists. Walter giesekings set of both books of the debussy preludes is a different matter one of the great classics of the gramophone. Debussy preludes, book 1 by claude debussy 18621918. Claude debussys preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. List of books and articles about claude debussy online. Gieseking recorded the complete piano music of debussy and ravel in the early 1950s for emi, of which only the debussy preludes have appeared on cd emi cdh 7 61004 2. These readings are exquisitely subtle, but critics at the time recalled the even greater glories of gieseking s pre.
Discover librarianselected research resources on claude debussy from the questia online library, including fulltext online books, academic journals, magazines, newspapers and more. The 195354 recordings just missed the stereo era, but the abbey road mono sound is firstclass. Walter gieseking plays debussy preludes book i, no 11 duration. Home classical lps columbia 33cx 33cx 1098 walter gieseking plays debussy preludes book 1 bg. Bruyeres heather but also the name of a town in eastern france. Claude debussys two books of preludes, implying homage to both chopin and bach, revel in the composers innovative piano techniques. The present release in emis great recordings of the century series marks the third time giesekings 1953 versions are reissued on cd. Walter gieseking s set of both books of the debussy preludes is a different matter one of the great classics of the gramophone.
Famous since the fifties, giesekings performances arrived when anglosaxons and germans needed to find the depth in debussy. Ricordi preludes book 1 piano solo piano collection. Debussy, walter gieseking preludes book ii discogs. These works have been central to stevens repertoire for many years and he brings them to the. He, debussy, very clearly laid out how his music should sound and to gieseking that appears to be enough. Among french musics most avantgarde expressions, they also contain some of debussys most atonal sorties. Walter gieseking plays debussy and ravel, classical notes. Unhappily, the technology emi possessed at the time these renditions of the preludes were captured, in 1953 and 1954, does only marginal justice to him.
Home browse music and performing arts music history of music modern era in music 1900 claude debussy. Sacdrof walter gieseking claude debussy the complete piano works 19532012 piano hires stereo. The two books of preludes are central to debussys piano writing and giesekings performances of them are supposedly iconic. Mix walter gieseking plays debussy preludes book i, no. Gieseking s brilliant debussy preludes in superlative xr remasters only a supremely optimistic or a very vain pianist will attempt to record these preludes now that gieseking has for many, walter gieseking s debussy is definitive, and perhaps nowhere more so than here, in the preludes. After your purchase, you will receive an email with further information.
Originally recorded in 1953 and 1954 in monaural sound, walter gieseking s 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. Unlike some notable collections of preludes from prior times, such as chopins op. 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. 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.
Gieseking recorded all of debussys keyboard works, but his interpretation of the composers two books of preludes have especially attained classic status. So let me, in the limited space available, shuttle from the general to the local or particular and vice versa. Walter gieseking, piano program notes on container preludes, books i and ii. These readings are exquisitely subtle, but critics at the time recalled the even greater glories of giesekings pre. For all their reputation, this is another of those cases where subsequent performances have not actually heeded the icon. 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. To several generations of music lovers, walter gieseking and the piano music of debussy are synonymous.
Gieseking recorded all of debussys keyboard works, but his interpretation of the composers two books of. Debussy may have contributed the last important evolution to the prelude. Sacdrof walter gieseking claude debussy the complete piano works 19532012. The complete works for piano to enjoy in your home or car, or gift it to another music lover. Complete your walter gieseking plays debussy collection.