Complete Preludes, Books 1 and 2

by Claude Debussy

Book Overview

Here, in one volume, are two bodies of work that, perhaps more than any others, reveal the essence of Claude Debussy's extraordinary expressiveness and his innovative gifts for musical imagery. Each book contains twelve preludes for the piano, many of them known to today's musical audiences because of their great popularity with pianists worldwide. Ranging from the mystical La Cath drale engloutie to the capricious Ondine to the explosive Feux...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0486259706
• ISBN13: 9780486259703
• Release Date: April 1989
• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 1.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.4" x 11.0"

Customer Reviews

Debussy: Complete Preludes, Books 1 and 2

So far in the playing through this album: an excellent compilation of favorite Debussy piano pieces. Thoroughly enjoyable. Clear pages and easy to read.

Great Composer, Great Value

The Preludes of Debussy are from a different planet. The sounds that he got from the piano are still like no other composer, even after over 100 years since their composition. Dover yet again has printed a most economical edition that is very affordable for the pianist that would like to delve into these gems. Recommended!

Essential pieces for piano mastery

This is one of those sets that I think, if I were stranded on a desert island with a Steinway (and a good piano tuner), I could delve into for years with little other music. These short pieces are excellent for sight-reading difficult passages with many key changes and unexpected accidentals, for intricate harmony and for expression of mood. The names are evocative of feelings and sights, such as an underwater cathedral, bells in the evening air, wind through heather and the like. Though short pieces of a few pages, each provides a particular challenge to the piano student, as well as being appropriate for concert encores or intimate playing.