"Bruyères"
may be translated as moor or heath; its straightforward harmonies and calm pace
suggest a placid, expansive landscape and a far horizon. It also recalls
Debussy's early piano pieces, especially the two "Arabesques," which
like "Bruyères" feature rippling, decorative arpeggios. It provides
an interval of gentle contemplation before we hear "Général Lavine -
excentric." This rollicking prelude is named for a music-hall dancer who's
portrayed via a cakewalk - a dance style popular in the early 20th century.
Once again, Debussy seems to have placed this little vignette with its
toe-tapping tunes as a deliberate contrast to the almost indeterminate sound of
its predecessor.
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Cedille Records is the recording label of The Chicago Classical Recording Foundation, a publicly-supported, not-for-profit, organization devoted to promoting the finest musicians, ensembles, and composers in the Chicago area by producing and releasing their efforts on audiophile-quality recordings. The recordings and their promotion are designed to stimulate interest in these performers and composers and bring their artistry to a wider audience. Cedille Records is also dedicated to promoting interest in neglected areas of the classical repertory by presenting masterpieces that have been overlooked by other recording companies.
Classical Music | Piano Music
Claude Debussy
Bruyères, from Préludes Book II Play
Recorded on 08/26/2006, uploaded on 02/09/2009
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
"Bruyères" may be translated as moor or heath; its straightforward harmonies and calm pace suggest a placid, expansive landscape and a far horizon. It also recalls Debussy's early piano pieces, especially the two "Arabesques," which like "Bruyères" feature rippling, decorative arpeggios. It provides an interval of gentle contemplation before we hear "Général Lavine - excentric." This rollicking prelude is named for a music-hall dancer who's portrayed via a cakewalk - a dance style popular in the early 20th century. Once again, Debussy seems to have placed this little vignette with its toe-tapping tunes as a deliberate contrast to the almost indeterminate sound of its predecessor.
Notes by Andrea Lamoreaux
More music by Claude Debussy
La Puerta del Vino, from Préludes Book II
Rapsodie (arr. Rousseau)
Arabesque in C sharp major
Soiree dans Grenade, from Estampes
Beau Soir
Ondine, from Préludes Book II
La Cathédrale engloutie, from Preludes, Books 1, No.10
Estampes
Apparition, from Quatre chansons de jeunesse
General Lavine – eccentric, from Préludes Book II
Performances by same musician(s)
Estrellita, from Canciones Mexicanas
Ondine, from Préludes Book II
Granada, from Suite Española No. 1
Les jeux d’eau à la Villa d’Este
General Lavine – eccentric, from Préludes Book II
Danzas Españolas, No. 2, Andante
Piezas Españolas, Aragonesa
Les sons et les parfums tournent dans l’air du soir, from Préludes Book I
Sonata in f-sharp minor (Allegretto)
Mazurca No. 23 in a minor
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To purchase the CD or download this performance, click here.
Cedille Records is the recording label of The Chicago Classical Recording Foundation, a publicly-supported, not-for-profit, organization devoted to promoting the finest musicians, ensembles, and composers in the Chicago area by producing and releasing their efforts on audiophile-quality recordings. The recordings and their promotion are designed to stimulate interest in these performers and composers and bring their artistry to a wider audience. Cedille Records is also dedicated to promoting interest in neglected areas of the classical repertory by presenting masterpieces that have been overlooked by other recording companies.