Images: The Piano Music of Claude Debussy
Paul Roberts
Paris at the turn of the 20th century was obsessed with the interrelations of the arts. It was a time when artists and writers spoke of poetry as music, sounds as colors, and paintings as symphonies. The music of Claude Debussy, with its unique textures and dazzling colors, was the perfect counterpart to the bold new styles of painting in France.

Paul Roberts uses his love and understanding of the repertoire and his musical imagination to probe the sources of Debussy's artistic inspiration, relating the "impressionist" titles to the artistic and literary ferment of the time. Roberts also draws on his own performing experience to touch on all the principal technical problems for a performer of Debussy's piano music. His many suggestions about interpreting the music, coming from a pianist who has performed the repertoire extensively, will be particularly valuable to performers as well as listeners.

Richly illustrated with artwork from the Debussy era and many music examples, the book is a valuable resource for the scholar, historian, pianist, music student, and anyone who finds inspiration in music and art.

1-57467-068-9, 396 pp, 52 b/w illus., 12 color plates, 93 music examples, 6 x 9", paperback, © 1996

Price: $24.95 US

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What people are saying about this book...      Media Reviews (9)      Customer Reviews (1) Media Reviews "An invaluable book for pianists and enthusiasts of French music in general." — Pamela Lidiard, Classical Music , February 16, 2002 "A meaningful, superbly presented, in-depth analysis of the French piano music of artist and visionary Claude Debussy. " — John Taylor, Midwest Book Review "An invaluable book for pianists and enthusiasts of French music in general." — Pamela Lidiard, Classical Music , February 16, 2002 "A valuable contribution to understanding the art of Debussy." — Piano & Keyboard, Nov/Dec 1996 "Advanced amateur pianistsand sophisticated listeners will find this beautifully illustrated book very useful for understanding Debussy’s piano music." — Alan Hirsch, Booklist "a significant contribution to our understanding of the literary and artistic influences on Debussy’s piano works." — Fanfare, July/Aug 1996 "...a significant contribution to our understanding of the literary and artistic influences on Debussy’s piano works." — Fanfare "Advanced amateur pianistsand sophisticated listeners will find this beautifully illustrated book very useful for understanding Debussy’s piano music." — Alan Hirsch, Booklist "A valuable contribution to understanding the art of Debussy." — Piano & Keyboard Customer Reviews Insightful | February 3, 2003 Reviewer: R. T. from Belle Mead, N.J. An artistic, musical, and penetrating approach to Debussy's piano music.