question on Debussy

[noelle]

I'm looking to start ... something by Debussy.  Since I haven't played any of it before, and it sounds pretty interesting.

However, I don't know what I should work on, and my teacher hasn't made any direct recommendations yet.  I'm probably intermediate/advanced-ish, and I'm willing to be brave.

[bernhard]

Have a look here:

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,1769.msg13830.html#msg13830
(The easier pieces)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2412.msg20876.html#msg20876
(Debussy’s pieces in progressive difficulty)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2464.msg21323.html#msg21323
(La fille aux cheveux de lin)

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[noelle]

Much appreciated, thanksss

[stevie]

i dont really like debussy all that much, but one piece that i really like, and is kind of a 'debussy for people who dont normally like debussy' piece, is the l'isle joyeuse(sp)

tis wikid

[debussy symbolism]

        Greetings

The pieces are posted by Bernhard in terms of difficulty. Thanks Bernhard. In my opinion start with pieces that move you. I personally adore Debussy and hope that you will find his pieces enjoyable. Try "La Cathedrale Engloutie" from Preludes book 1. Not the most challenging, but one has to feel the voices and pedal carefully.

      Hope you progress.

[nicko124]

The huge chords in "La Cathedrale Engloutie" makes it challenging however most of his works represent some element of difficulty.

'The Little Sheperd' from Childrens Corner is the easiest Debussy piece I can think of or 'Des pas sur la neige' from Preludes Book 1.

If you are willing to be 'brave' as you mentioned than why not start learning Clair De Lune. The middle section which is incrediably beautiful isn't actually that difficult at all.

[ravel]

 Try his Estampes. I have played the first two. They are not that hard  ,  but they are extremely beautiful pieces,  "pagodes " being probably my all time debussy favourite, although i dont like choosing one piece as  a favourite(interesting one to play too, mostly on black keys), its atleast in my top 5 debussy piano pieces.  The other ones  i tried are claire de lune, not that hard, The girl with the flaxen hair from preludes book 1, ondine from preludes book 2.  they are all not hard.  I think L'isle Joyeuse (pardon my spelling if its wrong) , is probably one of his hardest pieces.  Just be careful though.   The biggest challenge in playing debussy is probably creating the right tone color. Even if the piece is simple, it might be hard to create the right color.   And that is what i am workin on these days. Trying to improve the sound .
anyway, you can also try his suite for piano. or suite bergamesque.  Reflets dans l'eau isnt that hard either. i played thru half of it, but then got more interested in the second estampe , Evening in Granada,  so didnt play thru whole of Reflets dans l'eau . It is fairly difficult, but not too hard.   or try some of his other" images".
good luck!!!!!