Debussy's strangest prelude

[@nourytime9804]

How could he come up with something so original? Great analysis btw

[@johnmarraffa5079]

The French word "voiles" has a second meaning. While it can mean "sails" as on a ship, it can also mean "veils". I read that Debussy attended a dance recital where the female dancer used sheer diaphonous veils as part of her performance. He may have drawn inspiration from that. At my best I was an average pianist, but there were several of Debussy's Préludes easy enough to teach myself to play, "Voiles" being one of them. Thanks for stirring up fond memories for me with your video.

[@ThomasSmith-hn5uo]

Yeah, David Code from the University of Glasgow wrote a paper on that topic, suggesting that DeBussy got the influence from Mallarme's criticism of the said dance by Fuller. DeBussy also wrote preludes and Arabesques with the same titles as some of Mallarme's poetry, which makes this a reasonable connection.

[@anled.composition]

It's always fascinating to dive into the works of masters. I really enjoy when you also analyze the structure of a piece. Thanks for sharing !

[@skylarlimex]

Thanks for watching as always! :-)

[@christianvennemann9008]

Even though Voiles can mean sails or veils in French (and Debussy leaves it up to the listener to decide which meaning the title takes), I like to think it means sails in this context. I always picture a lone sailboat that is shrouded in fog in a bay just before dawn, and the boat is gradually becoming more visible to the viewer as it comes closer to getting out of the fog. Finally, at 2:33, it breaks free of the fog and is in clear view of the viewer. I also like to imagine this section as the boat's captain finally seeing beautiful sights of the ravishing orange morning sky and the shimmering water. Suddenly, at 3:08, the boat returns into the fog and gradually fades away from our view as the ethereal music fades

[@skylarlimex]

Lovely description!

[@christianvennemann9008]

@@skylarlimex Thank you!

[@evanever]

Hearing these kinds of interpretations is my favourite part of discussion around composers like Debussy.

[@christianvennemann9008]

@@evanever Same here! He and Ravel (and sometimes even Rachmaninoff, especially with his Études-tableaux and some of his preludes) create such amazing imaginative landscapes for us to dream up! 😍

[@michaelstevens8]

Debussy reduced Impressionism to essentially 1 scale in this piece. True Genius. Thanks.

[@fortunatomartino8549]

Seldom do I hear a new piece that I will be preoccupied with for the rest of my life

[@kurtkaufman]

That pentatonic section used to bother me slightly; I found it jarring in relation to the material before and after it. But more recently, I can understand why it is used, to provide a break from the unrelenting whole tone sections which otherwise might become fatiguing, even in the hands of a master such as Debussy.

[@skylarlimex]

Debussy probably wanted it to be "jarring" or have a similar effect in any case for a greater contrast between sections

[@laurynk4209]

woah this analysis is so cool

[@skylarlimex]

Thank you!

[@LucBoeren]

Great vid as always, your channel should have way more subs!

[@skylarlimex]

Very kind of you! Thanks!

[@DenizKupanaha]

This is a Debussy piece that sounds particularly Ravel-like at times.

[@nicolasrioscardona]

I recently saw one of your compositions for baroque orchestra and I must say that I loved it. Could I suggest videos where show your compositional process? That would be wonderful. Cheers from Colombia

[@skylarlimex]

Thank you so much! It might be a tricky video because the compositional process is so personal and variable but I'll think about it

[@fortunatomartino8549]

Music up to Wagner, the listener could identify with Haydn was rustic Mozart was nibble cosmopolitan Beethoven Heroic struggle But with Debussy, he imagines music that is also relatable but I couldn't identify its meaning I asking "What is that uncanny, uneasing motif" But i , on some level, do know

[@cardboardcricket1444]

I know you have uploaded some of your own compositions to youtube before, and I was wondering if you still intend to do some more? I love the pieces you have uploaded, so it would be very welcome! 🥰

[@skylarlimex]

I did upload a piece of mine quite recently with baroque ensemble and I have a new piano piece which will be performed quite soon!

[@Andate2003]

Hello skylar lim！ First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude for your insightful video analysis of Debussy's preludes. I found your perspectives and analytical approach incredibly enlightening, and they've been greatly beneficial to a musical study I am currently undertaking. I am a junior software engineering student with a profound interest in music, and I am in the process of writing a paper on "The Techniques of Motivic Development in Debussy's Piano Works." The content of your video aligns remarkably well with the direction of my research, and I am keen to delve deeper into the literature and sources you referenced during your video production. If possible, could you kindly share some of the references or resources you consulted in your study of Debussy's works? Any books, papers, articles, or other forms of material would be immensely valuable to my research. Of course, I completely understand if some information might not be convenient to disclose publicly. Thank you once again for your excellent video and your passion for music. I look forward to your response and wish you continued success in creating more wonderful content! Warmest regards！

[@skylarlimex]

My analyses is based on things I dig up online as well as my own interpretations and analyses I have done in school. Unfortunately I can't point you to certain materials that I used because I don't keep notes on them but I do wish you the best of luck!

[@Vércingétorix9273]

I don't think he meant boats when he said voiles

[@skylarlimex]

Well, Debussy is known for being vague...

[@roisinholton5945]

it sounds very similar to the zelda botw music ?

[@jakeallinson]

If one didn't know this was Debussy, it would be very difficult to tell.

[@skylarlimex]

I disagree, the whole tone scale is Debussy's signature sound