My new Cd album containing 15 works by Claude Debussy

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/debussy-nature-myth-legend/id716186796
                                                               Album Notes
It could be said that nature, myth and legend were the source of Claude Debussy's inspiration. "The music of this album summons you to enter his world; one of sheer sensual beauty where the incantations of nature and ancient realms can be heard. The physical storm that is Debussy's music, awakens both the senses and the mysterious past that sleeps within each and every one of us.'
- H F


Debussy-Nature Myth Legend

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/debussy-nature-myth-legend/id716186796
http://www.cdbaby.com/halfreedman4
YouTube video  http://youtu.be/-_V7ADZcWIs

It could be said that nature, myth and legend were the source of Claude Debussy's inspiration.
The music of this album summons you to enter his world; one of sheer sensual beauty where the incantations of nature and ancient realms can be heard. The physical storm that is Debussy's music, awakens both the senses and the mysterious past that sleeps within each and every one of us.

Suite bergamasque, L. 75: III. Clair de lune

Clair De Lune

From my Cd album: DEBUSSY-Nature Myth Legend
available at:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/debussy-nature-myth-legend/id716186796
http://www.amazon.com/Debussy-Nature-Myth-Legend-Hal-Freedman/dp/B00F57VTRG/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1381437513&sr=1-1
http://cdbaby.com/halfreedman4
YouTube Video:http://youtu.be/LlsfqaLmQ1A

Reverie

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/debussy-nature-myth-legend/id716186796
From my Cd album 'Debussy-Nature Myth Legend
Arabesque-derivation: French, from Italian arabesco Arabian in fashion, from arabo Arab, from Latin Arabus
An elaborate design of intertwined floral figures or complex geometrical patterns. An ornamental design that is fanciful and free flowing. 
   Many pianists professional and amateur alike play this piece in the style of a 'romantic' Chopin nocturne. However, Debussy's tempo indication is clearly marked 'Con Moto' (with motion) and this piece is more akin to a baroque dance, than a romantic nocturne. I have played it in the manner of the great French pianist 's Philippe Entremont and Gaby Casadesus, a contemporary of Debussy. I share their opinion on the interpretation of this work.

Deux Arabesques, L. 66: I. Première Arabesque

Arabesque No.1

This seldom heard work by Claude Debussy is from my new CD album:
 'Debussy-Nature Myth Legend'

YouTube link:
http://youtu.be/fX1fqb3bJLA


Nocturne, L. 82

'Nocturne' by Claude Debussy

YouTube Video: http://youtu.be/IDod49LLhD8

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/debussy-nature-myth-legend/id716186796
http://cdbaby.com/halfreedman4
   This is No.1 from the suite of pieces for piano entitled 'Children's  Corner' by Claude Debussy. Debussy wrote them for his little daughter, nicknamed 'Chouchou' (little pet in French.)According to Debussy's friend and biographer, E. Robert Schmitz, the pieces are about the joy the the little girl received from the toys her Father bought her. This first piece of the suite, 'Gradus ad Parnassum' is a reference to Debussy's own childhood. It is a parody of an execise from the famous and monumental piano exercise method book by Clementi, 'Gradus ad Parnassum"(translation: 'steps to Parnassus') which Debussy was no doubt forced to practice as a child!











Children's Corner, L. 113: I. Gradus ad Parnassum

'Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum' from "Children's Corner" by Debussy

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/debussy-nature-myth-legend/id716186796


                                                      Pagodas

From the collection 'Estampes' (Engravings) by Claude Debussy. This piece was inspired by the Javanese Gamelan which Debussy first heard at an international exhibition in Paris. here is  the definition of Gamelan from Wikipedia:

A gamelan is a traditional musical ensemble from Indonesia, typically from the islands of Java and Bali, featuring a variety of instruments such as metallophones, xylophones, kendang (drums) and gongs; bamboo flutes, bowed and plucked strings. Vocalists may also be included. For most Indonesians, gamelan music is an integral part of Indonesian culture.[1]
The term refers more to the set of instruments than to the players of those instruments. A gamelan is a set of instruments as a distinct entity, built and tuned to stay together – instruments from different gamelan are generally not interchangeable.

Pagodas

'Pagodas' from the collection 'Estampes' (Engravings) by Claude Debussy

"We have art so that we shall not die of reality."
                Nietzsche

'Pagodas' from the collection 'Estampes' (Engravings) by Claude Debussy

Classical Soul Pianist