HEY WHAT ABOUT DEBUSSY!

[prodigy1220]

Were always talking about chopin and beethoven and rach and all the other composers but what about debussy i know you guys talk about him but not ENOUGH


ARABESQUE IS ONE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SONGS!!!!!

[mlsmithz]

Well then.  I'm assuming you're referring to the E major arabesque rather than the G major arabesque, which I'd be more inclined to describe as "fun" than "beautiful".  Still, in my mind it's hardly the most arresting piece from Debussy's quill (or whatever composers used to write in the Impressionist era - paintbrushes?).... so if it's discussion of Debussy you're so intent on seeing, my own nominees would be such pieces as the Ballade, Reverie, 'Reflets dans l'eau' and 'Hommage a Rameau' from Images I, 'Et la lune descend sur la temple qui fut' from Images II, the omnipresent 'Clair de lune' from the Suite bergamasque, perhaps 'Jimbo's Lullaby' and 'The Snow is Dancing' from 'Children's Corner'.... I've never really managed to get into the Preludes so I have no nominees from those, but there are other people on these boards who do, I'm sure.  And although they're not for piano solo, I'd also add certain movements of the sonatas for violin and piano, cello and piano, and flute, viola, and harp.  All of those are pieces I enjoy playing or hearing when in reflective mood - a lot of Debussy is very good for that.

[BoliverAllmon]

His music is very nice. I like his etudes. I want to play them some day.

[pseudopianist]

I can't stand most of his works but he has a few pearls, the more "mainstream" pieces; Reviere, Clair De Lune, Reflets etc

[Bouter Boogie]

Debussy composed a lot of beautiful works (although I prefer Ravel over him). I played his L'Isle Joyeuse (check out my video if you want to see) and I think that's an awesome (but very difficult) piece. I love to hear his works for solo piano. I haven't heard that much of his orchestral works, but I liked the ones I've heard.

- BB

[alzado]

The Preludes are probably his most played and best loved piano pieces.

Debussy is great.  You will get no argument from me on that.

[nanabush]

Cathedrale Engloutie, not overly difficult, got some massive chords, and sounds beautiful.

[Tash]

mmm cathedrale engloutie is lovely, and i like la fille aux chevaux de lin, and a lot of others.
if you think the arabesque is his best piece you need to listen to him more!
Also love the suite pour piano, suite bergamasque, images, estampes, i LOVE debussy he's the bomb, i definately prefer him over ravel. Orchestral works i love: la mer (saw the sydney symphony play that last week it was the BOMB), nocturnes, prelude to the afternoon of a faun.Also love the cello sonata, violin sonata,string quartet, syrinx, fetes galantes for voice, ummmm let me just name like every piece he ever wrote!!

[lava]

Debussy is lovely. I play Dr Gradus ad parnassum (Childrens Corner) every day for fun. other pieces i like:

Jardins sous la pluie.
Clair de lune
Passepied

[chelsey]

I'm playing Reflect Dans L'eau from Images Bk1 this year for juries. It's such a beautiful piece, lot of work to do though.

[teresa_b]

Hi,

Yes, Reflets is so gorgeous!  I had heard it was not overly difficult, but I found it to be very challenging!  I had this brainstorm to play two luscious pieces in the same key for a small recital.  So I learned "Reflets" and Chopin's "Berceuse."  Yow, what I got myself into.

All the best,
Teresa

[pianowelsh]

theresa  - im with you, two of the most exquisite pieces on the planet but very hard to bring off - much harder than they sound.  Debussy is one of my favourite composers. His poisson 'dor is utterly fantasic as are many of the preludes, of course Lisle joyeuses is stunning too and Estampe as a set is great ( a  little taste of the world), Both books of image are breathtaking in the wasy they use sonority and his etudes are amazing (actually better etudes - in true sense than Chopin's) and so fresh!! They still sound modern 

[thorn]

Debussy is also one of my favourite composers, although i dont think his most well known pieces really do him justice and reflect the magnitude of what he gave to music. I mean, as nice as the arabesques, goliwogg's cakewalk, clair de lune and reverie are, they aren't really anything that special. In comparison to Poissons d'Or, Reflets dans l'eau, Feux d'artifice and the like, i mean.

Btw am i the only one who finds it really irritating when people spell 'clair de lune' as 'claire de lune'? Debussy was french, clair de lune means moonlight, 'clair' is the french for light, clairE, however, is a name.... probably only me it rly gets too, but GRRR

[ravel]

DEBUSSY ROCKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.
I would talk about it at length, but i am in a hurry now. BUT ALL DEBUSSY IS AMAZING.

[bon_bear]

  Hey Peeps
I was just wondering...
I'm playing the second Arabesque. My piano teacher/adjudicator says i make my pedal too blurry while i play. My PT says half pedal would be better...though to me, half pedal makes it sound less flowing or smooth. I have no idea how to control it and does anybody know how to make their fingers "flow" through the keys? Thx!~
Elizabear