Debussy Clair de Lune

[adanepst]

Dear Piano Friends,

This is my performance of Debussy's Clair de Lune in Germany on June 13. Thank you for listening and hope you enjoy!

[essence]

This is much more difficult than many realise to pull off successfully.

Seems to me it did not start pp. was it con sordino? It would be more atmospheric if softer.

The timing of the first two chords is tricky. They are a triplet, and one needs to count (in the head) the first quaver, so that the next two quavers flow.

Any rubato needs to be very subtle. Some say the rubato is wrtten into the music. I have heard many ruinous recordings where the pianist tries to make it more 'emotional'. Think about what this music is about. Poem by Verlaine.

https://www.thereader.org.uk/featured-poem-3/

Some of the pedalling could be cleaned up.

p.s. I won a piano competition playing this at age 13 yrs.

I always loved the Faure song of the same name, but am always troubled by performances. This one I like

So many go too fast, and rush the semiquavers. Atmosphere of this recording is ideal. you can feel the heat of the sun and the languid moon.