DEBUSSY, Claude
Ariettes, paysages belges et aquarelles (Ariettas, Belgian landscapes and watercolors) (P. Verlaine) for voice and piano
1. C’est l’extase
Christoph Prégardien, guest professor
Elsa Roldán Vázquez, student
Alex Arroyo Luis, collaborative pianist
After the student’s performance, Prégardien asks about the song’s context. It is a typical French chanson with a very beautiful and intimate text, and this atmosphere must be considered in both the piano and the voice. Phrasing in Debussy is crucial.
They resume from the beginning, and the professor provides guidance to improve expressiveness in the first phrase. The sound in this song does not need to be so perfect and precise; it is better to sing with a bit more air. He continues with indications on phrasing and articulation so that the piano and voice are more closely integrated. In French, articulation requires more clarity.
Prégardien suggests repeating the song to properly appreciate the colors; with her soprano register, there is no danger of the piano covering her, so it is not necessary for the pianist to play softer despite the lid being fully open. In this song, and in Debussy in general, it is not necessary to achieve perfect voice placement, and the student has now managed to give it that space which suits it so well.
Language: English
