Debussy: Préludes, Book 2: Piano Book & CD

Debussy's mature preludes demand serious interpretive work from advanced pianists. The inclusion of performance suggestions from both the composer and Dr. Hinson, paired with individual prelude analysis and the Naxos recording, transforms this into a complete learning resource rather than a standalone score.

These twelve preludes shimmer with nocturnal gardens, distant bells, flowing water, and shifting light. The emotional range moves from delicate and introspective to bold and virtuosic, with Debussy's harmonic language creating colors that dissolve and reform beneath your fingers.

Advanced pianists preparing Debussy's major works for recital, competition, or advanced study will find this edition indispensable. Teachers guiding early-advanced through advanced students through the Impressionist repertoire benefit from the pedagogical apparatus and recorded reference.

• Attend carefully to Debussy's own performance markings and footnotes; they reveal his specific intentions for tempo flexibility, pedal work, and dynamic nuance that differ from conventional Romantic practice.
• Use the included CD recording as a reference for color and pacing, but view it as one interpretive choice among many; Debussy's music rewards personal exploration within the structural parameters he establishes.
• Experiment with pedal changes on harmonically significant moments rather than holding the pedal throughout entire phrases; the notation and analysis notes clarify where Debussy intended tonal blending versus clarity.
• Work through the analysis of each prelude before deep practice; understanding the underlying harmonic language and formal architecture strengthens your ability to shape the texture authentically.

Program one or more preludes on a recital featuring early twentieth-century keyboard music, or pair them with works by Ravel and Satie to explore French Impressionism. A single prelude works as a concert opener that establishes mood and sophistication.

• Understanding chromatic voice leading and non-functional harmony
• Controlling tone color through pedal technique and touch variation
• Reading extended chords and unconventional harmonic notation
• Interpreting performance instructions in French
• Balancing structural clarity with atmospheric impressionism