Debussy, La Cathedrale Engloutie (Preludes, Book I)

[rachfan]

I actually studied this prelude twice, once as a teenager, then later in life--and did some things differently the second time around (this recording).

Update: I deleted the CD cut (49 downloads) and replaced it with the source tape recording which has better fidelity. 

Comments welcome.

[troglodyte]

Well done! Great dynamic contrast and the piece is well kept together. My only complaint would be that a little more rhythmic stability might be called for. For example the slight ritardando before the first fortissimo section breaks the spell of this being churchbells sounding - no way churchbells can make any kind of rubato - but overall very good!

[rachfan]

Hi Troglodyte,

Thanks very much for your nice comments on my recording of this prelude.  On your point on the ritardando, actually what I was doing there was allargando limited only to the last two left hand octaves of section A just prior to the entrance of the A2 motif.  But your point is well taken, and I've put a notation in the score.

Actually, on rhythmic stability, what I thought you were going to bag me on are the quiet transition measures immediately following section A2.  I did take a bit more time there than technically allowed by the tempo.  The reason is that I elected to use the "silent retaking of chords", a form of finger pedaling, that Gieseking also employed in that same place...  but I was not quite as adept as he was, ha-ha!  It's probably not too noticeable though. 

Again, thanks for commenting.

David