This blog is dedicated to discussion of the performance of the piano pieces of Claude Debussy. I’m only an amateur pianist, but have been playing Debussy’s piano works since the late 70’s. Debussy’s piano pieces require deep thought and understanding. In these pages I’ll try to summarize what references I have on the performance of each piece, combined with my opinions of what works.
You will find the list of pieces on the right in the categories. Titles in parentheses do not yet have any content, but you can start their discussion by adding comments.
More Debussy resources can be found on my primary Debussy web page or through the links on the right (scroll down).
What I write are just my relatively uninformed opinions. I hope all of you will contribute and add your ideas.
Hi Steve…..can you write up anymore of the children’s corner pieces??
would be very helpful thanks
hey,
im actually doing a music project,
and i think ure web is really helpful!
thanks a million !
Heyy can you write up Debussy Preludes Book 2 No. 9 & No.6 please?
and last year your review of Preludes Book 2 No. 10 “Canope” really helped me, thanks!
Steve,
In 1991, I took a piano lesson for about 9 months from an inexperirence Russian guy who just came to the States. My first piece that I learned from him was Arabesque No.1. And then, I quit taking piano lesson for 16 years. Several months ago, I started taking piano lesson again, but this time I take lesson from a concert pianist. He won many international competition and was a contestant in the 1993 Van Cliburn competition. By the way, he is happened to be a Russian too.
I revisited the Arabesque. He taught me how to play with totally different interpretation and he told me he himself used to play incorrectly. The correct way is like what you described in your website.
Ron
great stuff. well done.
Steve, I found your website of Debussy will be very helpful, especially for me who just want to touch Debussy. I’ll read those abundance stuff. Thanks for your goodwill to share all of this with us.
Can you give the information about Debussy Prelude Book II No. 3 La Puerta del Vino? I need to work on it soon.
Thanks before
Very good information!
Hi Steve,
I love both Ravel and Debussy above all other composers. I have their orchestral scores and their piano music. When I was about 22 (I’m now 74) I met Baroness Catherine d’Erlanger in Beverly Hills who was a patroness of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo under Diagilev. She knew Ravel, Debussy and all the greats of the fin de siecle in Paris. Just up the street on Wetherly Drive lived Igor Stravinsky. At her home I also met his wife Vera, son Soulima and biographer and conductor, Robert Craft. The Baroness was then in her eighties, she didn’t speak much English and her mind was going but I asked her about my heroes. She also knew Marcel Proust and photographer Cecil Beaton, whose career she financed at the beginning. I asked for details of all my heroes but she was difficult to understand. She said things like “Ravel wore white gloves” and other bits of trivia but I’m grateful that I met her because her life touched those of my greatest artistic heroes. For me there hasn’t been any composer that could compare with theirs since then, especially Debussy. His sensitivity to sound and life in general has been unmatched by any 20th century composer. I wonder what he would have done (if anything) with electronic music. I’m not a fan of it either because it doesn’t breathe like acoustic music and it’s not natural. I hope you find my experience with the Baroness interesting.
Hello
I am looking for an analysis of Debussy’s Rapsodie for Saxophone and Orchestra. Do youhave any idea where to get a hold of this?
Fritz (Switzerland)
Hello Steven, do you know where i can find an analysis for debussy’s preludes book 2 no.6 and 9? any information will be thoroughly helpful, thanks.
This blog is wonderful. Debussy is one of my primary musical obsessions… Right now, when I’m writing this, I’m listening to Debussy’s Sarabande. It is always a pleasure to hear someone play Debussy, especially when he is good. Greetins!
hello! I’m looking for an analysis of Les Collines d’Anacapri. i’d really like to understand how it wrks, it’s so beautiful!
by the way… how often do you usually update this blog? i’m REALLY interested in it, i’ve read about the arabesque I and i think you’re doing a great job!
Wow, a fellow pianist and astrophotographer, how awesome is that?
I’ve found your reviews very interesting. Thank you for taking the time to post it; however, there seems to be one glaring oversight, L’isle Joyeuse. I love Debussy and to me that piece is a beautiful representation of the “whole-tone” , voyage-into-outer-space, kind of sound.
I’m also very inspired by your review of Homage a Rameau. Currently, my skill has limited me to some of Debussy’s easier works (Heather “bruyers”, Delphic Dancers, Clair d’lune, Reflect dans l’eau) but I will certain try to tackle that one.
Best wishes,
Steve A.