Week 4 – Share Your Final Progress!

Hi everyone! Here is my progress on Et la lune descend sur le temple qui fut from Debussy’s Images Book II.
 

This piece still needs a lot of work in every respect. I made several takes today—tried to bring the tempo up a little and focus on voicing, dynamics and pedaling — and finally decided to post the very first take, since it has the fewest slips. Recording was surprisingly hard, because it feels as though every single note and sound really matters. Hopefully tomorrow I’ll feel less nervous behind the camera and be able to update.

I’m very grateful for this opportunity to challenge myself with this music, and even more grateful for the wonderful, hard-working, motivated, and generous company here on Tonebase. Without this community, I would never have learned such a piece.

This was also my very first time learning a work by Debussy. He hasn’t become my favorite composer yet, but the journey has been illuminating and rewarding.

(Link deleted)

Update below.

Hi! Here is my final version (for now).

https://youtu.be/EC2-WkJSmXk?si=kG2LDhU2wToq8D0M

I closed the previous version, but will keep it for own reference.

Hello everybody, here is my video of the prelude Ondine. 

https://youtu.be/I21ZEubARzU

I didn’t manage to spend enough time on reworking the prelude, as I have been on vacation for two weeks. I might be able to play this piece in a masterclass in October, so I will definitely continue my practicing.

I really love how Debussy tells the story of Ondine in this prelude. It is so colorful! When playing, I can see Ondine, how she appears, curious and playful, how she tries so hard to become human, how they get her and take her back, how she has to leave, disappearing in the sea, but not without saying goodbye. 

Debussy was apparently inspired by the illustrations of Arthur Rackham for the children’s book Undine when composing this prelude. I’ve added one of them below. 

Hi Ursine, 

That was gorgeous playing (and a gorgeous piano!!!). Thank you for including the illustration and explanation. You really captured Ondine's watery world, her joy and her struggle.