Debussy (piano) editions?

Hi, "home-gamer" new to tonebase...re-learning/expanding my childhood repertoire (max. difficulty was the Toccata from Pour le Piano)--and wanted to get the Durand critical editions by Roy Howat. The original release apparently is out of print and I can't find all the pieces in the "more affordable" small volumes that Durand released. Suggestions? If I can't find the Howat edition is there an urtext you all recommend? (will ask more specific performance questions later) Thanks in advance!

7 replies

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    • Harry_Neuwirth
    • 1 yr ago
    • Reported - view

    Barhenreit and Henle both have urtext editions.  I use the Henle, as whoever fingered it had hands like mine.  Maurice Hinson published a teaching edition, available on Amazon, with lots of interesting comments and pedaling. Worth a look, if only to argue with. 

    • Timothy
    • 1 yr ago
    • Reported - view

    Hi Michael,

     

    Have you tried eBay? What about IMSLP? If neither of those options work, I would go with Henle. However, if it’s really good (and interesting) fingering/editing you are looking for, I believe Salabert has editions of Debussy edited by Alfred Cortot. The  notation is cramped, the books don’t stay open easily, and print quality isn’t always great, but Cortot’s notes, fingering, suggestions, etc. outweigh those issues. Like Harry said above, you may still argue with it, but it makes for interesting reading/research.

    • piano
    • Michael_Cheng
    • 1 yr ago
    • Reported - view

    Thanks for the suggestions! My motivation was getting some insight on some of the puzzling (ok, troublesome) note values and articulations in my tattered Dover edition (reprints of Fromont/Durand, depending on the piece, with "new corrections by Beveridge Webster"). I can start a different thread on some of the specifics after I check out some of your sources.

    • piano
    • Michael_Cheng
    • 1 yr ago
    • Reported - view

    FYI regarding the Roy Howat edition, just found some of the missing pieces under "6 morceaux de jeunesse"   Thanks again to Harry and Timothy

    • Debussy: Ballade
    • Debussy: Danse (Tarentelle styrienne)
    • Debussy: Danse bohemienne
    • Debussy: Mazurka
    • Debussy: Rêverie
    • Debussy: Valse romantique (L. 71)
    • Kerstin
    • 1 yr ago
    • Reported - view

    Wow, this piece is heavy. I have played it about 30 years ago in a masterclass with a French pianist. I have the PETERS Edition. Nothing wrong with it. Have a look. Let me know, if you need more.

    LG Kerstin

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      • piano
      • Michael_Cheng
      • 1 yr ago
      • Reported - view

      Kerstin Thanks for the suggestion and screenshot (I have a Peters edition for some Mozart and I read that Roberto Poli used it for Chopin). I have traumatic memories from high school (literal trauma to my fingernails), but I got inspired by the Robert Durso videos on YT (and I'm sure there's more on tonebase) that I can do it with less pain this time. Will start a new thread when I look at the other edition(s) for the markings that are giving me fits. Appreciate everyone's responsiveness!

      • Kerstin
      • 1 yr ago
      • Reported - view

      Michael Cheng Yes, Robert Durso is great with the Taubman Rotation technic. Is very helpful, but you have to be patient. Last year , I have tried to get a lessen with him, but he had no time. But recommended a German teacher (Jin Jeon) to me he is trained in Rotation technik. And have got 10 lessons. Learned a lot. So there is help. LG Kerstin

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