Claude Debussy composed his two books of preludes during a remarkably brief period—the first, between December 1909 and February 1910; and the second, during roughly the same period in 1912-13. Though totaling twenty-four in number between the two books, Debussy’s preludes do not follow the precedent established by J. S. Bach’s ubiquitously known Well-Tempered Clavier(namely, a prelude in each of the major and minor keys) and imitated by several other composers, including Frédéric Chopin, Charles-Valentin Alkan, and Sergei Rachmaninoff. However, this does not mean that Debussy’s preludes are without order, and the relationships that can be found among them indicate that their published order was, to a certain extent, quite purposeful, yet also designed with a degree of inherent flexibility. Debussy, in keeping with the artistic philosophy of his day, also composed each prelude with specific scene or image in mind. Yet, to partially disguise these intents from the listener and to allow his audience to discover them of their own accord, Debussy craftily placed his titles at the end of each prelude. Performance practice of the preludes varies. Early performances, even by Debussy himself, established a precedent of grouping the prelude in threes or fours, allowing performers to pick those in which they perhaps are most comfortable. However, some performers also choose to perform each book in their entirety.
Les collines d’Anacapri (“The Hills of Anacapri”) is the fifth prelude of Debussy’s first book of preludes. It was inspired by the town of Anacapri on the island of Capri, off the coast of Italy, which the composer frequently visited. The prelude is a lively scherzo-like piece, mingled with elements of the tarantella, and interspersed with moments of sublime awe. In the brilliant key of B major, it opens with the clear ringing of isolated tones, like a stunning view on a clear sunlit day, which alternate with lively quasi-tarantella passages. The main body of the scherzo is lively with vibrant tremolos supporting an energetic and supple tune. Joseph DuBose
Classical Music | Piano Music
Claude Debussy
Les collines d’Anacapri, from Preludes, Books I Play
Recorded on 09/24/2008, uploaded on 03/21/2009
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Claude Debussy composed his two books of preludes during a remarkably brief period—the first, between December 1909 and February 1910; and the second, during roughly the same period in 1912-13. Though totaling twenty-four in number between the two books, Debussy’s preludes do not follow the precedent established by J. S. Bach’s ubiquitously known Well-Tempered Clavier(namely, a prelude in each of the major and minor keys) and imitated by several other composers, including Frédéric Chopin, Charles-Valentin Alkan, and Sergei Rachmaninoff. However, this does not mean that Debussy’s preludes are without order, and the relationships that can be found among them indicate that their published order was, to a certain extent, quite purposeful, yet also designed with a degree of inherent flexibility. Debussy, in keeping with the artistic philosophy of his day, also composed each prelude with specific scene or image in mind. Yet, to partially disguise these intents from the listener and to allow his audience to discover them of their own accord, Debussy craftily placed his titles at the end of each prelude. Performance practice of the preludes varies. Early performances, even by Debussy himself, established a precedent of grouping the prelude in threes or fours, allowing performers to pick those in which they perhaps are most comfortable. However, some performers also choose to perform each book in their entirety.
Les collines d’Anacapri (“The Hills of Anacapri”) is the fifth prelude of Debussy’s first book of preludes. It was inspired by the town of Anacapri on the island of Capri, off the coast of Italy, which the composer frequently visited. The prelude is a lively scherzo-like piece, mingled with elements of the tarantella, and interspersed with moments of sublime awe. In the brilliant key of B major, it opens with the clear ringing of isolated tones, like a stunning view on a clear sunlit day, which alternate with lively quasi-tarantella passages. The main body of the scherzo is lively with vibrant tremolos supporting an energetic and supple tune. Joseph DuBose
More music by Claude Debussy
La Puerta del Vino, from Préludes Book II
Arabesque in C sharp major
Soiree dans Grenade, from Estampes
Rapsodie (arr. Rousseau)
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)
Capriccio in c-sharp minor, from Eight piano pieces, Op. 76
Intermezzo in A Major, from Eight piano pieces, Op. 76
Capriccio in f-sharp minor, from Eight piano pieces, Op. 76
Etude-Tableaux, Op, 39, No. 5 in e-flat minor
Etudes-Tableaux, Op. 39, No. 3 in f-sharp minor
Intermezzo in B-flat Major, from Eight piano pieces, Op. 76
Reflets dans l’eau, from Images, Book 1
Prelude 1, Allegro ben ritmato e deciso
Prelude 2, Andante con moto e pocco rubato
Prelude 3, Allegro ben ritmato e deciso
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