Comments for Playing Debussy's Piano Works http://stevedebussy.wordpress.com An amateur's thoughts about playing Debussy Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:28:14 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on Welcome! by Steve http://stevedebussy.wordpress.com#comment-1977 Steve Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:28:14 +0000 #comment-1977 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. 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.

]]> Comment on Reverie (1890) by Robert http://stevedebussy.wordpress.com/2006/09/29/reverie-1890/#comment-1975 Robert Wed, 27 May 2009 18:27:04 +0000 http://stevedebussy.wordpress.com/2006/09/29/reverie-1890/#comment-1975 This is a very nice piece and not very difficult. I would recommend it for the intermediate student. This is one of the only times you're going to see finger numbering and pedaling in Debussy's work, after that, you're on your own with the impossible note values and such. If I remember correctly, Debussy didn't want this piece published. Reverie is the second Debussy piece I've learned on the piano as part of my independent studies. Maurice Dumesnil's guide to playing Debussy, which I found through this web site, has proven itself indispensable. The pedaling is the most difficult part for me. Upon the advice of a fellow music student, I chose the Prelude from Suite Bergamasque as my first Debussy piece. This was a challenge compared to Reverie. Then these two pieces became part of my daily repertoire and I couldn't ignore the similarities between the two; namely, Bb-C-D-G / G-D-C-Bb. These types of similarities remind me of Schumann's Sphinxes, musical phrases with symbolist meaning. It's nice to imagine a time before electrical distractions, when more people appreciated these things. This is a very nice piece and not very difficult. I would recommend it for the intermediate student. This is one of the only times you’re going to see finger numbering and pedaling in Debussy’s work, after that, you’re on your own with the impossible note values and such. If I remember correctly, Debussy didn’t want this piece published.

Reverie is the second Debussy piece I’ve learned on the piano as part of my independent studies. Maurice Dumesnil’s guide to playing Debussy, which I found through this web site, has proven itself indispensable. The pedaling is the most difficult part for me.
Upon the advice of a fellow music student, I chose the Prelude from Suite Bergamasque as my first Debussy piece. This was a challenge compared to Reverie. Then these two pieces became part of my daily repertoire and I couldn’t ignore the similarities between the two; namely, Bb-C-D-G / G-D-C-Bb. These types of similarities remind me of Schumann’s Sphinxes, musical phrases with symbolist meaning. It’s nice to imagine a time before electrical distractions, when more people appreciated these things.

]]> Comment on Welcome! by cristiane http://stevedebussy.wordpress.com#comment-1974 cristiane Tue, 21 Apr 2009 04:47:38 +0000 #comment-1974 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! 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!

]]> Comment on Pagodes (Estampes, 1903) by Luke http://stevedebussy.wordpress.com/2006/09/29/pagodes-estampes-1903/#comment-1973 Luke Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:53:46 +0000 http://stevedebussy.wordpress.com/2006/09/29/pagodes-estampes-1903/#comment-1973 Thankyou for this infomation it really helped me with dome GCSE music revision I have. Thankyou for this infomation it really helped me with dome GCSE music revision I have.

]]> Comment on Welcome! by Prospero http://stevedebussy.wordpress.com#comment-1971 Prospero Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:15:28 +0000 #comment-1971 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! 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!

]]> Comment on Prelude (Suite Bergemasque, 1890 – 1905) by Rob M. http://stevedebussy.wordpress.com/2006/09/29/prelude-suite-bergemasque-1890-1905/#comment-1970 Rob M. Fri, 16 Jan 2009 20:14:53 +0000 http://stevedebussy.wordpress.com/2006/09/29/prelude-suite-bergemasque-1890-1905/#comment-1970 I've just started on this piece. I was told it was the best place for an early-advanced piano student to start with Debussy. I'm not so sure I believe that now. I find that it does, in it's own way, paint a vivid picture and conveys the opera-like emotional journey that Debussy is known for. All these elements make playing it a challenge, one that compels us to play it, I suppose. Where I would usually just do a chord analysis of a piece before starting it, I also do a dynamics analysis- and often, rhythm and fingering analysis. So I just found your web site while searching for Debussy analysis. I'll be back. I’ve just started on this piece. I was told it was the best place for an early-advanced piano student to start with Debussy. I’m not so sure I believe that now.
I find that it does, in it’s own way, paint a vivid picture and conveys the opera-like emotional journey that Debussy is known for.
All these elements make playing it a challenge, one that compels us to play it, I suppose. Where I would usually just do a chord analysis of a piece before starting it, I also do a dynamics analysis- and often, rhythm and fingering analysis.

So I just found your web site while searching for Debussy analysis. I’ll be back.

]]> Comment on Welcome! by ptang http://stevedebussy.wordpress.com#comment-1969 ptang Sat, 22 Nov 2008 10:07:20 +0000 #comment-1969 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. 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.

]]> Comment on First Arabesque (Deux Arabesques, 1888) by Brittany http://stevedebussy.wordpress.com/2006/09/29/first-arabesque-deux-arabesques-1888/#comment-1968 Brittany Mon, 13 Oct 2008 04:22:24 +0000 http://stevedebussy.wordpress.com/2006/09/29/first-arabesque-deux-arabesques-1888/#comment-1968 I'm learning this piece right now, your interpretation really helped, thank you! I’m learning this piece right now, your interpretation really helped, thank you!

]]> Comment on The golliwogg’s cake-walk (Children’s Corner 1906-1908) by Catherine C http://stevedebussy.wordpress.com/2006/09/29/the-golliwoggs-cake-walk-childrens-corner-1906-1908/#comment-1967 Catherine C Fri, 11 Jul 2008 01:21:33 +0000 http://stevedebussy.wordpress.com/2006/09/29/the-golliwoggs-cake-walk-childrens-corner-1906-1908/#comment-1967 Very much enjoying your site. Just wondering if you have run across Rachmaninoff's performance of Golliwogg's Cakewalk, which can be found on youtube. His rendition is interesting - I thought it came up with a couple of unexpected interpretations. Very much enjoying your site.
Just wondering if you have run across Rachmaninoff’s performance of Golliwogg’s Cakewalk, which can be found on youtube. His rendition is interesting – I thought it came up with a couple of unexpected interpretations.

]]> Comment on Welcome! by Fritz http://stevedebussy.wordpress.com#comment-1965 Fritz Thu, 05 Jun 2008 21:51:17 +0000 #comment-1965 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

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)

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