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Debussy, Claude Achille : Préludes 1 "Voiles"

Work Overview

Music ID : 22365
Instrumentation:Piano Solo 
Genre:prelude
Total Playing Time:3 min 30 sec
Copyright:Public Domain

Commentary (1)

Author : Shiraishi, Yuriko

Last Updated: January 27, 2020
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Note: This article is automatically translated from the original Japanese text. The author of the original work did not supervise this translation.

The title "Voiles" can be interpreted as either "sails" (feminine plural noun) or "veils" (masculine noun). In particular, the light and soft parallel third chord motif in the opening four measures (Musical Example 1) exhibits a character that is applicable to either title. The bass melody on B♭ appearing from measure 5 and the three-note motif "A♭-B-C" in measure 7 (Musical Example 2), along with the parallel third chord motif, become the main motifs of the four episodes that constitute the middle section. While the bass melody on B♭ constantly resonates, the small undulation created by the variation of the three-note motif in the first episode (mm. 23-32) expands over a two-octave range in the second episode (mm. 33-41), becomes dynamic with the incorporation of rapid arpeggios in the third episode (mm. 42-47), and regains tranquility accompanied by glissando-like ornamentation in the fourth episode (mm. 48-57). From measure 58, the parallel third chords return, and the piece concludes in a softened atmosphere.

Musical Example 1: Opening

Musical Example 2: Measures 5-9