Debussy, "La fille aux chaveux de lin" (Preludes, Bk 1)

[rachfan]

I've never posted this piece before, so thought I'd do so now.   Debussy was innovative and daring in using pentatonism in his melody, giving the piece almost a Nordic flavor.  It's unclear whether this is an observer's actual visual impression of the girl with the flaxen hair, or perhaps just a daydream.  Either way, it's most evocative.  This lyrical prelude is in A-B-A form with a cadential coda. 

Note: When I was transferring this to a mp3 digital file, I didn't pay close enough attention to the output volume meter, so it sounds a bit louder than the original recording.  You might want to simply turn it down a tad. 

Comments welcome. 

[matterintospirit]

Some very nice things in the melody line. I think lightening up on the chords will enhance overall, and compliment better some of your ideas. There is a lilt to the dotted rhythm and chord accompaniment toward the end that feels to me like a dance . Actually the whole piece to me feels like a dance, but not something real in the present, but a wonderful memory or image in the back of your mind. Love this piece, I'm sure you do too. My favorite is recording by Thibaudet.

[rachfan]

Hi matter,

Thanks for listening!

Yes, "La fille" is a wonderful piece.  No matter how many times you hear it (or play it), it always has a fresh sound to it.  I'll have a look at the chords you mentioned.

[jlh]

Good job!  I enjoyed this!

Josh

[rachfan]

Thanks, Josh!

You know, when a pianist plays a miniature like this prelude, the major difficulty lies in the treachery of its simplicity, which leaves the pianist totally exposed should an error of some kind occur.  For that reason, I've often said that Chopin's half-page Prelude No. 7 in A is the most difficult piece ever written. 

Thanks for listening and commenting!

David

[jlh]

Thanks, Josh!

You know, when a pianist plays a miniature like this prelude, the major difficulty lies in the treachery of its simplicity, which leaves the pianist totally exposed should an error of some kind occur.  For that reason, I've often said that Chopin's half-page Prelude No. 7 in A is the most difficult piece ever written. 

Thanks for listening and commenting!

David

I would say that Traumerei is more treacherous than the Chopin prelude in A...  

[rachfan]

Yes, that one too!  I think even Horowitz felt the turmoil of nervousness playing Traumerei in recital.