Debussy preludes, anyone!

[Ouled Nails]

I have been doing a little "nosing" around and found out that one of our officers is not a stranger to Debussy's preludes. As this is just a chat room, I am wondering if people would like to share which is their preferred prelude and anything else you would like to share about these two volumes of piano pieces. I have actually watched Richter play "ce qu'a vu le vent de l'ouest" on one of those internet audio-video "tubes" and I was amazed by the amount of energy, of stamina he put into that particular prelude. Lots of other inspiring impressionistic pieces too. A little chat, perhaps?

 

[rojo]

Sure! "Ce qu'a vu le vent de l'ouest" is definitely my favourite from Les Préludes. I still play the opening of it regularly (that`s my favourite part of it.) It`s thrilling. Another of my faves is from Ravel`s Miroirs- 'Une Barque sur L`Océan.' And recently I added Debussy`s 'L`Isle Joyeuse' to my list of favourites. But I haven`t learned it yet. :grin:

Don`t get me started on Ravel`s La Valse, and symphonic pieces like Debussy`s La Mer, Ravel`s Daphnis et Chloe.. :grin:

 

[rojo]

Btw, this isn`t really a 'chat room' per se, it`s a forum. So don`t be alarmed if conversation stops temporarily...

 

[Ouled Nails]

"Don`t get me started on Ravel`s La Valse, and symphonic pieces like Debussy`s La Mer, Ravel`s Daphnis et Chloe.. :grin:"

Absolutely! As I watched Richter play the Preludes -- it was a concert in Tokyo -- something curious happened to me. As I said before, it was rather amazing to watch him play "what has seen (or witnessed) the western wind". In contrast, though, watching a pianist, any pianist, play La cathédrale engloutie for me has the effect of lessening its magic (a bit like a magician explaining his/her tricks). In the latter case, I prefer to close my eyes and to "dive" deep below the surface.

 

[rojo]

It`s funny how watching a performer often changes our impression of a piece...