Both versions are so very beautiful -- each in its own way.
I played Reverie on a recital when I was ten years old. I've always loved it. I'm not as familiar with the orchestral version, but it's great. A symphony orchestra is capable of producing so many more tine colors than even the most skilled pianist.
Jen, If you're serious about wanting more Debussy in your life, there's a great abundance of it posted in YouTube. May I recommend Guiomar Novaes's recording of the complete Preludes? It's still peerless in my opinion. If you can find Garrick Ohlsenn's recording the Suite Bergamasque (it contains Claire de Lune among other lesser-known pieces), by all means listen to it.
The world of so-called classical music is so vast and wonderful it still takes my breath away just to think about it -- even after making a serious study of the piano that began sixty-four years ago, and has never stopped.
Good music is an inexhaustible treasure, if you feel an affinity for it, by all means run after it with your arms open wide.
Thanks, AOW.
By the way, that is the BEST picture of Claude Debussy I've ever seen. I'm sure he'd be delighted to be remembered that way.
Jen, Four Dostoevsky in a row? Gluttony for punishment! I shouldn't really say that because I do like much of Dostoevsky's work, especially Crime and Punishment and Notes from the Underground.
You mentioned a list of my favorite books. I periodically do book reviews here at this blog site. The books I've reviewed are, typically, novels written recently.
Do you want a list of my favorite classics? Well, here's a "short" list:
1. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
2. King Lear by William Shakespeare
3. Hard Times by Charles Dickens
4. Death Be Not Proud by John Gunther
5. The Story of My Life by Helen Keller
6. Of Mice and Men, The Grapes of Wrath, and Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck
Yesterday, I played part of Debussy's "Reverie" for a piano student (an adult in his 60s). Did a good job with my interpretation -- so my student said, anyway. That particular piece is one that I have to be in the proper frame of mind so as to play it well.
That's played about as well as it gets, by the way. I'm never nuts for orchestral interpretations of something written for one instrument, but, of course, it's pretty, too. I love to play Debussy...thanks for a lovely interlude today!
I'm going to copy your list, too. Honestly, I adore LITTLE WOMEN and GRAPES OF WRATH is so fantastic, isn't it?
AOW, the painting that accompanies the piano version is so beautiful. Do you know who painted it? It looks like it could be Monet, but I'd love to know for sure.
The Impressionists captured the essence of Reality so much better than most of the "Literalists" did. Impressionism in painting is my favorite segment of the Visual Art Spectrum.
I know...Dostoevsky gets so heavy after a while. But he's got such a deep understanding of the psyche. Have you read The Possessed? It's another good one. My favorite is The Brothers Karamazov. But I was completely lost with Notes From the Underground.
I love Little Women! I read it to my daughter when she was younger, and it came alive.
Thanks for the list. I feel like i have so much catching up to do.
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Interesting contrast. :)
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful! I could use more Debussy in my life.
ReplyDeleteAOW, feel free to visit my blog for a break from polotics.
Www.jenbrimmagephoto.blogspot.com
Plus, I'd love to see a list of your favorite books. I've read 4 Dostoevsky in a row, and i need a break. ;)
Both versions are so very beautiful -- each in its own way.
ReplyDeleteI played Reverie on a recital when I was ten years old. I've always loved it. I'm not as familiar with the orchestral version, but it's great. A symphony orchestra is capable of producing so many more tine colors than even the most skilled pianist.
Jen, If you're serious about wanting more Debussy in your life, there's a great abundance of it posted in YouTube. May I recommend Guiomar Novaes's recording of the complete Preludes? It's still peerless in my opinion. If you can find Garrick Ohlsenn's recording the Suite Bergamasque (it contains Claire de Lune among other lesser-known pieces), by all means listen to it.
The world of so-called classical music is so vast and wonderful it still takes my breath away just to think about it -- even after making a serious study of the piano that began sixty-four years ago, and has never stopped.
Good music is an inexhaustible treasure, if you feel an affinity for it, by all means run after it with your arms open wide.
Thanks, AOW.
By the way, that is the BEST picture of Claude Debussy I've ever seen. I'm sure he'd be delighted to be remembered that way.
Beautiful, AOW. One of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteThis was perfect for today.
Jen,
ReplyDeleteFour Dostoevsky in a row? Gluttony for punishment! I shouldn't really say that because I do like much of Dostoevsky's work, especially Crime and Punishment and Notes from the Underground.
You mentioned a list of my favorite books. I periodically do book reviews here at this blog site. The books I've reviewed are, typically, novels written recently.
Do you want a list of my favorite classics? Well, here's a "short" list:
1. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
2. King Lear by William Shakespeare
3. Hard Times by Charles Dickens
4. Death Be Not Proud by John Gunther
5. The Story of My Life by Helen Keller
6. Of Mice and Men, The Grapes of Wrath, and Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck
7. Lad: A Dog by Albert Payson Terhune
8. The Hoosier Schoolmaster by Edward Eggleston
9. Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
10. The Complete Works of Emily Dickinson
I could go on, of course. :^)
Yesterday, I played part of Debussy's "Reverie" for a piano student (an adult in his 60s). Did a good job with my interpretation -- so my student said, anyway. That particular piece is one that I have to be in the proper frame of mind so as to play it well.
ReplyDeleteThat's played about as well as it gets, by the way.
ReplyDeleteI'm never nuts for orchestral interpretations of something written for one instrument, but, of course, it's pretty, too.
I love to play Debussy...thanks for a lovely interlude today!
I'm going to copy your list, too.
Honestly, I adore LITTLE WOMEN and GRAPES OF WRATH is so fantastic, isn't it?
Black SHeep...you're such a romantic :-)!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAOW, the painting that accompanies the piano version is so beautiful. Do you know who painted it? It looks like it could be Monet, but I'd love to know for sure.
ReplyDeleteThe Impressionists captured the essence of Reality so much better than most of the "Literalists" did. Impressionism in painting is my favorite segment of the Visual Art Spectrum.
I know...Dostoevsky gets so heavy after a while. But he's got such a deep understanding of the psyche. Have you read The Possessed? It's another good one. My favorite is The Brothers Karamazov. But I was completely lost with Notes From the Underground.
ReplyDeleteI love Little Women! I read it to my daughter when she was younger, and it came alive.
Thanks for the list. I feel like i have so much catching up to do.
FT, I listen to Motzart sometimes, and Erik Satie.
ReplyDeleteI know nothing about classical music.