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When Dutch pianist Ronald Brautigam was in Sweden in September to play two piano concertos with Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra, we talked with the performer in the midst of rehearsal. The concert was recorded for Helsingborg Concert Hall Play series and - according to Brautigam - Sally Beamish's 1st piano concerto named "Hill Stanzas" and Mozart's 17th, make a very fine musical combination in a concert program. Read more >>

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Topic: Debussy - 4th Prelude, Measure 29 (Read 4041 times)

trazom

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Debussy - 4th Prelude, Measure 29

on: July 20, 2010, 05:37:25 PM

In Debussy's 4th Prelude from Book I: "Les sons et les parfums tournent dans l'air du soir"

I'm confused on Measure 29 in which there are two consecutive F5s in the right hand. In my best edition (hands down more accurate than the other two that I have) the first of these F5s has a sharp placed in front of it (making them both sharp).

A sharp here seems very odd -- it disrupts the perfect octaves that are otherwise present in the RH for that measure (as the higher F6 has no sharp marked). It makes more sense to place the sharp before the 2nd consecutive F5 (in harmony with the enharmonic Gflat in the LH). My two other editions (which I have much less trust for) have neither of the F5s sharped.

Who can help me get to the bottom of this?

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birba

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Re: Debussy - 4th Prelude, Measure 29

Reply #1 on: July 20, 2010, 06:02:15 PM

I only have the durand edition, and if it's the place I think you're talking about, the f is first sharp and then natural. e-a-bflat-fsharp-csharp, then eflat-aflat-bdoubleflat-fnatural-c in effect, transposed down a half step. Is this what you're talking about?

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trazom

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Re: Debussy - 4th Prelude, Measure 29

Reply #2 on: July 20, 2010, 07:05:30 PM

I too have the Durand -- it's the edition I've noticed the peculiar sharp in (it's also the best edition in my opinion).

I don't think we're looking at the same spot -- it's on page 16, last measure of the 2nd line (measure 29), 2nd chord with the lower F sharp (in my printing at any rate).

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birba

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Re: Debussy - 4th Prelude, Measure 29

Reply #3 on: July 20, 2010, 07:52:37 PM

There must be more than one Durand edition. My page 16 is the beginning of les collines d'anacaprie.
I cannot for the life of me figure out what f-sharp you're talking about. In my edition measure 29 is the second bar of the en animant.

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quantum

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Re: Debussy - 4th Prelude, Measure 29

Reply #4 on: July 20, 2010, 08:34:15 PM

Quote from: birba on July 20, 2010, 07:52:37 PM

There must be more than one Durand edition.

Most likely is. The older copy in my uni library is in two volumes. The one I see in the bookstore now has all 24 Preludes in one volume with a glossy dark blue cover.

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Made a Liszt. Need new Handel's for Soler panel & Alkan foil. Will Faure Stein on the way to pick up Mendels' sohn. Josquin get Wolfgangs Schu with Clara. Gone Chopin, I'll be Bach

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