24 Préludes (Books I & II)


Claude Debussy - La puerta del vino, No. 3 from Preludes, Book 2

La Puerta del Vino (The Gate of Wine) refers to the traditional meeting place of the Romani people of Granada - one of the entrances to the Alhambra Palace. The composer had received a postcard of the famous gate, supposedly from Manuel de Falla, and told Alfred Cortot, “I will do something with that.”

Debussy responded with a colourful work overflowing with Spanish sentiment, including an incessant habañera rhythm and flamenco-like melodies, “with sudden contrasts of extreme violence and passionate tenderness.”

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Resources & links

Click here to download Fred's marked score for this work or click here to view open domain editions.

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