A Musical Interlude - Debussy's Petite Suite - En Bateau
Brian Watt ·
Apr 1, 2011 at 10:26pm
A languid and rich work that evokes a slow journey along a river on a summer's day at dusk. Originally written for four hands on the piano, the orchestral version is even more amazing. I would recommend Ernest Ansermet and L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande's version available on iTunes. Look for Debussy's Petite Suite, it is Suite No. 1.
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Aug '10
Re: A Musical Interlude - Debussy's Petite Suite - En Bateau
Beautiful. Incomparable Debussy.
May '10
Re: A Musical Interlude - Debussy's Petite Suite - En Bateau
Very nice.
This is a sincere, but probably stupid, question: Why was this written for four hands on one piano instead of two hands on each of two separate pianos? Is it a matter of coordination, tonality, scarcity of pianos, or what?
Jun '10
Re: A Musical Interlude - Debussy's Petite Suite - En Bateau
Ottoman Umpire: Very nice.
This is a sincere, but probably stupid, question: Why was this written for four hands on one piano instead of two hands on each of two separate pianos? Is it a matter of coordination, tonality, scarcity of pianos, or what? · Apr 1 at 10:25pm
Not being an expert on Debussy I would have to defer to someone more knowledgeable on the subject but there are videos of the piece being performed on two pianos by two separate pianists.
Edited on Apr 1, 2011 at 10:41pmMar '11
Re: A Musical Interlude - Debussy's Petite Suite - En Bateau
Interesting, I've never heard his Petite Suites before. Absolutely gorgeous, I'll have to check out some of his other four-hand works. Especially loving the 2nd movement.
It's unfortunate he's so little known in America (never mind that, Europe is no better than us in this department). He seems to take a back seat to Stravinsky and Mahler, but I think he was a better composer than either of them.
May '10
Re: A Musical Interlude - Debussy's Petite Suite - En Bateau
Ottoman Umpire: Very nice.
This is a sincere, but probably stupid, question: Why was this written for four hands on one piano instead of two hands on each of two separate pianos? Is it a matter of coordination, tonality, scarcity of pianos, or what? · Apr 1 at 10:25pm
I believe the musical score for Debussy's Petite Suites call for "Two Pianos, Four Hands". But as a practical matter, there is nothing to preclude performers from playing on one instrument as long as the registers for each part don't overlap. There is also the fact that finding a rehearsal hall with two pianos in tune is considerably rarer than one.
I once saw a concert years ago featuring eight pianos, sixteen hands. The composer's name escapes me; the novelty of the event was more impressive than the composition itself.
Oddly, I have recently "rediscovered" Debussy when he leaked into my "Chamber, Baroque" station on Pandora; I had forgotten how lush his compositions truly are.
Edited on Apr 2, 2011 at 4:10amJun '10
Re: A Musical Interlude - Debussy's Petite Suite - En Bateau
Doug Scott
Ottoman Umpire: Very nice.
This is a sincere, but probably stupid, question: Why was this written for four hands on one piano instead of two hands on each of two separate pianos? Is it a matter of coordination, tonality, scarcity of pianos, or what? · Apr 1 at 10:25pm
I believe the musical score for Debussy's Petite Suites call for "Two Pianos, Four Hands". But as a practical matter, there is nothing to preclude performers from playing on one instrument as long as the registers for each part don't overlap. There is also the fact that finding a rehearsal hall with two pianos in tune is considerably rarer than one.
I once saw a concert years ago featuring eight pianos, sixteen hands. The composer's name escapes me; the novelty of the event was more impressive than the composition itself.
Oddly, I have recently "rediscovered" Debussy when he leaked into my "Chamber, Baroque" station on Pandora; I had forgotten how lush his compositions truly are. · Apr 2 at 3:41am
Edited on Apr 02 at 04:10 am
Thank you, Doug.
May '10
Re: A Musical Interlude - Debussy's Petite Suite - En Bateau
Nice. Thanks.
And now for some four-hands guitar.
May '10
Re: A Musical Interlude - Debussy's Petite Suite - En Bateau
You're welcome, Brian. This was my moment. Those twelve years of piano lessons finally paid off.
Edited on Apr 2, 2011 at 8:26amMay '10
Re: A Musical Interlude - Debussy's Petite Suite - En Bateau
Thanks Doug that was wonderful.
The ultra Romantic Rubinstein playing Debussy's Reflects dans l'eau Images.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J8CZOKfTmw
I love Ravel's solo piano work too, it is quite under-rated and little heard.