Move Records Australian classical & art music, est. 1968

Debussy Preludes Book One

These first twelve preludes show Debussy’s achievement at the piano, expanding its range and orchestral colour. Ronald Farren-Price brings exceptional sensitivity to the set.

Ronald Farren-Price piano
Claude Debussy composer

Debussy took the art of composing a giant leap beyond Chopin, from whom he drew most inspiration. The Preludes, written between 1910 and 1913, have been likened to a vast palette of the composer’s every musical mood.

This recording presents all twelve preludes from Book One (first released in 1986), with three from Book Two held in the vault until this remastered re-issue.

Music is a sum of scattered forces. You make an abstract ballad of them! I prefer the simple notes of an Egyptian shepherd’s pipe: for he collaborates with the landscape and hears harmonies unknown to your treatises. Musicians listen only to the music written by cunning hands, never to that which is in Nature’s script. To see the sun rise is more profitable than to hear the Pastoral Symphony.

— Claude Debussy, Monsieur Croche, Anti-Dilettante

Reviews

Ronald Farren-Price’s reading is of a world-class standard. The Preludes obviously are close to the heart of Farren-Price and his love for them can be gauged in this recording. Just listen to the way he caresses the Steinway’s keys in “The Girl with the Flaxen Hair”. There is mystery in “Delphic Dancers”, caricature in “Minstrels”, raging, hallucinatory vision in “What the west wind has seen”. On every count, Farren-Price meets the demands of what ranks among the peaks of piano music.

— Bob Crimeen, The Sun

Artists

Photograph of Ronald Farren-Price

Ronald Farren-Price

Ronald Farren-Price is an Australian concert pianist of rare artistry, sensitivity and virtuosity. Clarity of expression and firmness of touch are the hallmarks of his style, which brings bold nobility to each performance.

Photograph of Claude Debussy

Claude Debussy

Claude Debussy (1862–1918) was a French composer whose harmony, colour and flexible sense of key reshaped European music at the turn of the twentieth century. Piano, orchestral and chamber works from his maturity remain central to the repertoire.

Tracks

  1. Danseuses de Delphes Claude Debussy 3:43
  2. Voiles Claude Debussy 5:06
  3. Le vent dans la plaine Claude Debussy 2:29
  4. Les sons et les parfums tournent dans l'air du soir Claude Debussy 4:26
  5. Les collines d'Anacapri Claude Debussy 3:39
  6. Des pas sur la neige Claude Debussy 4:24
  7. Ce qu'a vu le vent d'ouest Claude Debussy 4:07
  8. La fille aux cheveux de lin Claude Debussy 2:50
  9. La sérénade interrompue Claude Debussy 2:40
  10. La cathédrale engloutie Claude Debussy 6:09
  11. La danse de Puck Claude Debussy 3:17
  12. Minstrels Claude Debussy 2:40
  13. Brouillards Claude Debussy 3:35
  14. Feuilles mortes Claude Debussy 3:14
  15. La puerta del Vino Claude Debussy 3:40

Performers

Contributors

No photograph: Claude Monet

Cover artwork

Claude Monet

Where to listen

Debussy Preludes Book One is available for streaming through Spotify and Apple Music. It can also be purchased through the iTunes Music Store.

Debussy Preludes Book One is available as a CD. It can be purchased online through Buywell Music or the Australian Music Centre which both offer online ordering.

Product details

Catalogue number
MD 3067
List price
$20.00 AUD
Total playing time
55 minutes 59 seconds
Contributor
Ateş Orga
Recording Engineer
Martin Wright
Venue
Melba Hall
Credit
Claude Monet
Release date
Musical work
copyright
© 1986 Move Records
Sound recording
copyright
℗ 1986, 2016 Move Records
Category
Classical
Genre
Romantic & Impressionist
Barcode
EAN 9314574306729

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