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A recording of J.S. Bach's 'Preludie in C' played by Neil Balfour.

When J.S. Bach began working on his epic Well-Tempered Clavier in 1722, chances are he wasn't thinking that it would become one of the defining musical texts in keyboard history. But, somehow, it has - and the Prelude No. 1 in C Major is where it all starts.

The Well-Tempered Clavier (there are two volumes of it, each containing a prelude and a fugue in each musical key) kicks off in C Major, the most 'natural' musical key, so he obviously made sure that the first entry is a good one. Few pieces of keyboard music sound so delicate and fragile, but there's a very Bach-ian stability to it as well. 

It's a strikingly simple piece to begin with, gently phasing through different chords and registers, but it's one of those pieces that demands to be tinkered with. Consequently, you'll hear plenty of different interpretations of this much-loved work.

Prelude No. 1 In C Major | Bach

My take on Chopin's saddest little prelude.  Two and a half minutes of ache.


Chopin Prelude No. 4 In E Minor, Op. 28

Frédéric Chopin's Piano Sonata No. 2 in B♭ minor, Op. 35, popularly known as the Funeral March, was completed in 1839 at Nohant, near Châteauroux in France. However, the third movement, whence comes the sonata's common nickname, had been composed as early as 1837.

Chopin on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/album/5RFPR9xUOAHPoTvuLMwqpC

Chopin Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Chopin-Essential-Collection-Fr%C3%A9d%C3%A9ric/dp/B00KNTJ8YC/

Best of Chopin
https://us.napster.com/artist/frederic-chopin/album/chopin-the-essential-collection

Chopin Compilation
https://listen.tidal.com/album/30344018

Frederic Chopin
https://www.deezer.com/us/album/7857432

Best of Chopin Playlist
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_k3UamhvL2pVn3hfE7JS9dj-uWbv0ikr_o

Chopin - The Essential Collection

Funeral March

Tidal

The Waltz in D-flat major, Op. 64, No. 1, popularly known as the Minute Waltz, is a piano waltz composed by Frédéric Chopin. It is dedicated to the Countess Delfina Potocka.

Chopin on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/album/5RFPR9xUOAHPoTvuLMwqpC

Chopin Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Chopin-Essential-Collection-Fr%C3%A9d%C3%A9ric/dp/B00KNTJ8YC/

Best of Chopin
https://us.napster.com/artist/frederic-chopin/album/chopin-the-essential-collection

Chopin Compilation
https://listen.tidal.com/album/30344018

Frederic Chopin
https://www.deezer.com/us/album/7857432

Best of Chopin Playlist
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_k3UamhvL2pVn3hfE7JS9dj-uWbv0ikr_o

Minute Waltz

Deezer

The Nocturnes, Op. 9 are a set of three nocturnes written by Frédéric Chopin between 1830 and 1832, published that year, and dedicated to Madame Camille Pleyel. The second nocturne of the work is widely regarded as Chopin's most famous piece, and is regularly featured in films, television programs and video games.

Chopin on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/album/5RFPR9xUOAHPoTvuLMwqpC

Chopin Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Chopin-Essential-Collection-Fr%C3%A9d%C3%A9ric/dp/B00KNTJ8YC/

Best of Chopin
https://us.napster.com/artist/frederic-chopin/album/chopin-the-essential-collection

Chopin Compilation
https://listen.tidal.com/album/30344018

Frederic Chopin
https://www.deezer.com/us/album/7857432

Best of Chopin Playlist
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_k3UamhvL2pVn3hfE7JS9dj-uWbv0ikr_o

Nocturne Op.9 - No.2

Étude Op. 25, No. 1 in A-flat major is a solo piano work composed by Frédéric Chopin in 1836, and published in 1837. The work consists entirely of rapid arpeggios and harmonic modulations based on A-flat major.

Chopin on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/album/5RFPR9xUOAHPoTvuLMwqpC

Chopin Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Chopin-Essential-Collection-Fr%C3%A9d%C3%A9ric/dp/B00KNTJ8YC/

Best of Chopin
https://us.napster.com/artist/frederic-chopin/album/chopin-the-essential-collection

Chopin Compilation
https://listen.tidal.com/album/30344018

Frederic Chopin
https://www.deezer.com/us/album/7857432

Best of Chopin Playlist
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_k3UamhvL2pVn3hfE7JS9dj-uWbv0ikr_o

Étude Op. 25 - No.1

Amazon

Étude Op. 25 - No.1

Three piano compositions entitled "Gymnopédies" written by French composer and pianist Erik Satie (1866 – 1925). 
These short, gentle and atmospheric pieces are written in 3/4 time, with each sharing a common theme and structure. Collectively, the Gymnopédies are regarded as an important precursor to modern ambient music. 
Performer - Ilya Shipilov
If you want to use this music for your project, do not forget to buy a license! Just click on Buy-link, choose the right license and enjoy good music and creativity!
If You have any questions, write us, we'll try to answer everyone.

Three Gymnopedies by Erik Satie - Performance by Ilia Shipilov

Pavane pour une infante défunte (Pavane for a Dead Princess) is a well-known piece written for solo piano by the French composer Maurice Ravel in 1899 when he was studying composition at the Conservatoire de Paris under Gabriel Fauré. Ravel also published an orchestrated version of the Pavane in 1910; it is scored for two flutes, oboe, two clarinets (in B-flat), two bassoons, two horns, harp, and strings. 

Pavane Pour Une Infante Défunte

watch: youtu.be/fXIMhiaL_Qs?si=w087tDae_m8REcYU

Rihanna - Te Amo lovely P.I.

1019 — Piano

Do you like Bach? I simply love this piece!

Bach Präludium Fis-moll WTKII

Danish flutist Lars Graugaard and Chilean harpist Sofia Asunción Claro perform classical works in arrangements for their particularly satisfying instrumental combination. Ms. Claro followed her studies at the Musikhochschule in Munich and at Conservatoire National Superieure in Paris with final studies at the Royal Danish Academy. She enjoys a distinguished career performing the core repertoire for harp, as well as several commissions and premiere performance of works for harp by internationally leading composers. Mr. Graugaard completed his studies at the Royal Danish Academy in Copenhagen in 1983. He is highly considered as a soloist and chamber musician, but he has also had an extensive career as composer and improviser of audacious music.

Luigi Boccherini: Sonata in C major - Largo

Written in 1890, Debussy's Reverie was one of his first solo piano works to make an impact. Even at this early stage in his career, when he was still working out what kind of composer he wanted to be (he was apparently a fervent debater when it came to Wagnerism), it's clear to see traits of that signature Debussy sound.

However, the young Debussy had not quite developed the style and tricks that would earmark him as one of his generation's most notable talents. There are no fireworks here, no sudden explosions in texture that would come to characterise his later works - this is more of a meditation, the perfect precursor to exploring those later works.

The gently repetitive theme that opens the work feels like a descent into sleepy dream-world (as the title suggests), and as the textures become ever richer the dreams only become more lush and addictive. A fantastic early sign that this Debussy fellow was one to watch…

Source:

ClassicFM
http://www.classicfm.com/composers/debussy/music/debussy-reverie/

Retailers:

Debussy Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Claude-Debussy-Essential-Collection/dp/B00I6CEZQO/

Debussy Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/album/0Mmayh49XRWTXp53uf3jtF

Best of Debussy iTunes
https://music.apple.com/gb/album/claude-debussy-the-essential-collection/819582576

Debussy Compilation
https://listen.tidal.com/album/26275698

Claude Debussy
https://www.deezer.com/us/album/7429526

Best of Debussy Playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXtAfPp-70I&t=76s

Napster
https://us.napster.com/artist/claude-debussy/album/claude-debussy-the-essential-collection

Tidal
https://listen.tidal.com/album/26275698

Also check out the very best in R&B & Pop Music 2020 from IndyPop Records!
www.youtube.com/c/indypoprecords

Claude Debussy - The Essential Collection

Rêverie, L.68

Claude Debussy’s Clair de Lune is the third movement of his Suite Bergamasque, written for solo piano and completed in 1905. The title, meaning “Moonlight,” is inspired by Paul Verlaine’s poem, evoking a serene and reflective atmosphere. The piece epitomizes French Impressionism, focusing on mood and imagery over traditional form.
Structure and Atmosphere

The piece is in ternary form (ABA):

    Opening (A):
    A soft, flowing melody emerges over delicate arpeggios. The music feels weightless, like moonlight shimmering on water. Debussy uses rich harmonies and seventh chords to create a dreamlike quality, with a tender, introspective mood.

    Middle Section (B):
    The dynamics intensify, with fuller textures and soaring melodic lines. This section brings a sense of emotional depth and urgency, contrasting with the calm opening. Arpeggios cascade dramatically, giving the impression of moonlight suddenly brightening or revealing hidden beauty.

    Closing (A):
    The opening material returns, slightly varied, fading into a gentle, whisper-like conclusion. The piece ends as quietly as it began, leaving a sense of stillness and wonder.

Musical Features

    Harmonics: Debussy’s use of whole-tone scales, parallel chords, and non-functional harmony creates a suspended, ethereal soundscape.
    Melody: The lyrical melody floats effortlessly above the accompaniment, expressing both simplicity and emotional depth.
    Texture: Light, transparent textures alternate with moments of lush, resonant fullness, embodying the interplay of light and shadow.

Mood and Interpretation

Clair de Lune evokes the quiet magic of a moonlit night, combining serenity with subtle melancholy. Its poetic quality invites listeners to imagine moonlight reflecting on a calm lake, whispering through trees, or illuminating a tranquil landscape. The music feels timeless, blending stillness with fleeting moments of intensity.

Cultural Impact

This iconic piece has been widely used in films (Ocean’s Eleven, Twilight) and pop culture, often accompanying scenes of romance, nostalgia, or quiet reflection. Its universal appeal lies in its ability to evoke deep emotion while remaining understated.
Performance Notes

Expressive dynamics, fluid phrasing, and careful pedaling are essential to capturing its delicate atmosphere. A balance between freedom and control ensures its dreamlike flow remains intact.

Clair de Lune is a masterpiece of impressionistic music, celebrated for its ability to transport listeners into a realm of quiet beauty and introspection.

Clair de Lune

Clair de Lune - Debussy

J.S. Bach - Cello Suite No. 1, Prelude

Kinderszenen Op.15 No.7, Träumerei by Robert Schumann

Robert Schumann - Kinderszenen Op.15 No.7, Träumerei

Maurice Ravel (1875–1937)
Maurice Ravel was a French composer, pianist, and conductor, celebrated as one of the most prominent and innovative figures of the early 20th century. Born on March 7, 1875, in Ciboure, France, Ravel’s music is known for its exquisite craftsmanship, vivid orchestration, and seamless blend of classical tradition with modernist innovation.

Often associated with Impressionism alongside Claude Debussy, Ravel’s style is distinct, marked by clarity, elegance, and a fascination with diverse musical influences, from jazz to Spanish folk music. His most famous works include Boléro, a mesmerizing orchestral piece renowned for its hypnotic repetition and gradual crescendo, Daphnis et Chloé, a lush ballet score, and Pavane pour une infante défunte, a poignant and graceful piano composition. Ravel’s Rhapsodie espagnole and Gaspard de la nuit further demonstrate his mastery of orchestration and virtuosity in piano writing.

Ravel was also a pioneer of orchestral arrangement, as evidenced by his celebrated orchestration of Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, which remains one of the most performed and recorded versions of the work. His keen attention to detail and innovative use of harmony and rhythm have made his compositions a cornerstone of both the classical and modern repertoire.

Despite his relatively small output compared to some of his contemporaries, Ravel's influence on music is immense. His works continue to captivate audiences with their beauty, sophistication, and emotional depth. A perfectionist, Ravel was known for revising his works extensively, ensuring that every note served its purpose. He remained active as a composer and conductor until a neurological condition in his later years curtailed his creative output. Ravel passed away on December 28, 1937, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire musicians and listeners around the world.

The Maurice Ravel profile on SoundCloud is dedicated to celebrating his extraordinary contributions to classical music. Featuring a wide range of interpretations, from intimate piano solos to grand orchestral pieces, the profile offers listeners an immersive journey into Ravel’s rich and diverse musical world.

Pavane Pour Une Infante Défunte

Ravel

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