Sarabande, Pour le piano, II

History

Debussy first wrote this grave Sarabande in the winter of 1894 and published an early version in a newspaper supplement in 1896. He revised it for the three-part piano suite Pour le piano, issued in 1901. In this slow middle movement, an old dance name becomes a modern exploration of weight and colour at the keyboard.

Sources

• henle.de

What to listen for

1. 1

   Grave chords include held punctuation

   Broad chordal gestures interleave held values and shorter replies. Hear their differing lengths through the internal holds.

2. 2

   Related chords change their register

   The chordal continuation develops in changing registers. Listen for its familiar shape beneath the altered placement.

3. 3

   Returning movement expands the response

   The movement returns with growing chordal responses. Compare their fuller direction with the earlier quieter continuation.

4. 4

   Thinner held gestures make a slower close

   The closing texture becomes thinner and slower. Hear its remaining held sounds settle without expecting the earlier internal fermatas to mark the work end.

How to practise it

Balance the moving chords and their changing articulation.

1. Practise the final three chord positions slowly before joining the full measure.
2. Practise the two short attacks into the long chord without adding a new pulse accent.
3. Connect the examined phrase at a comfortable tempo while keeping its stated layers and releases distinct.

How hard is it

About this piece

Collection

French piano colors

Licence

CC0

Source

musescore.com

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