Description
In 1913, Debussy published a second collection of twelve Préludes, building on the success of the earlier Préludes I. These new pieces were longer and spanned a much wider register, leading Debussy to notate them across three staves. As with the first volume, the programmatic inspirations were only revealed at the end of each prelude. The cycle culminates in the virtuosic and brilliant Feux d'artifice, a true display of pianistic bravura. The technical writing and title of the 11th prelude, "Les tièrces alternées," also foreshadows the Études of 1915 (HN 390), which would mark the end of Debussy's piano compositions.
