Debussy's Corner

[lordlance]

I am no Debussy fan but I recently heard Harding conduct La Mer with Orchestre de Paris and I must say it is an extraordinary performance with great sonics to boot. Can be watched here: https://vk.com/video737728344_456240464

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I am no Debussy fan but I recently heard Harding conduct La Mer with Orchestre de Paris and I must say it is an extraordinary performance with great sonics to boot. Can be watched here: https://vk.com/video737728344_456240464

@lordlance Delighted that you found a performance of La Mer which you enjoy! 

PD

[Le Buisson Ardent]

A first listen to Le Martyre de Saint Sébastien. Somehow I was expecting an early work, not properly typical of his full-fledged impressionist style. How wrong I was, but eventually, I was glad, it succeeded my expectations. What struck me the most is how ecstatic and mystical it sounds, not even in his Pelléas et Mélisande I perceived that level of gorgeousness; the writing for female voices, especially, is beyond sublime, just mesmerizingly divine, let alone the flawless orchestration. It incorporates narration, and since it was in French, it didn't bother me. This language is so "musical" that flows quite well with the instruments and sung voices.

The detail that didn't appeal to me that much was the dynamic range of the recording. It is too inaudible in places, and in others there's this sudden loud explosion that makes me jump out of my seat.

All this time I was missing a major work!

Lovely, Cesar. I love Le Martyre de Saint Sébastien (sans narration of course!). Debussy felt rather proud of the work, but it has a long and complicated history that I highly suggest reading about when you have the time. As @Mandryka points out, the Cambreling recording is excellent and has the narration tracked separately (and as a person who buys CDs, this is incredibly helpful). I'll have give this work another listen as it's been far too long.

[Le Buisson Ardent]

Getting back to Debussy, I must say that even though he's my favorite composer of all-time, I still don't think La Mer is one of his greatest works. For me, so much of this man's greatness lies in certain corners of his oeuvre. Of course, there is no denying the impact of La Mer and it is a fine piece, but I think too often listeners tend to overpraise this work and they don't go much deeper. There are SO MANY wonderful pieces from this composer to discover!

[DavidW]

Hi all, I've completely removed the recent argument. Let us get back to Debussy! We can take MI's recent post as a good starting point.

I love La Mer, but I usually put on the solo piano works when I want to listen to Debussy. I have not heard all of Debussy's output though, and should change that.

[Symphonic Addict]

Lovely, Cesar. I love Le Martyre de Saint Sébastien (sans narration of course!). Debussy felt rather proud of the work, but it has a long and complicated history that I highly suggest reading about when you have the time. As @Mandryka points out, the Cambreling recording is excellent and has the narration tracked separately (and as a person who buys CDs, this is incredibly helpful). I'll have give this work another listen as it's been far too long.

Thanks, John. I'll be checking that Cambreling recording out.

[Le Buisson Ardent]

Hi all, I've completely removed the recent argument. Let us get back to Debussy! We can take MI's recent post as a good starting point.

I love La Mer, but I usually put on the solo piano works when I want to listen to Debussy. I have not heard all of Debussy's output though, and should change that.

May I suggest a few works to you, Dave?

Here are five to check out (if you haven't already) --- in no particular order:

Ballades de François Villon
Sonata for Flute, Viola & Harp
La Damoiselle élue
Danses sacrée and profane
Jeux

[Maestro267]

Jeux is the Debussy work I find myself returning to most.

[Le Buisson Ardent]

Jeux is the Debussy work I find myself returning to most.

No love for any of the solo piano music?

[Madiel]

No love for any of the solo piano music?

Eh? Saying what your favourite piece is doesn't mean you have no love for anything else.

[Karl Henning]

Jeux is the Debussy work I find myself returning to most.

I'm not surprised!

[Le Buisson Ardent]

I think this short work brilliantly encapsulates everything that I love about Debussy in one single movement --- D'un cahier d'esquisses:

[Maestro267]

No love for any of the solo piano music?

I'm only just starting on those, having picked up a set of them recently.

Also yes, what Madiel said. Honestly people kinda need to chill a little. Not this case here but when people are like "Why has no one mentioned [work] yet?" It's like...You just did..........congratulations. Saved the rest of us the job of doing it.

[Mandryka]

Debussy arranged Jeux  for solo piano.

https://www.boosey.com/shop/prod/Debussy-Claude-Jeux-piano-solo/2036569

[kyjo]

Jeux is the Debussy work I find myself returning to most.

Agreed, it's certainly a mesmerizing and singular work that shows Debussy's craft at its most refined and his orchestration at its most brilliant. I was recently listening to the amazingly vivid recording by Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony:

[Mandryka]

Well, this is a find, I want more like this. Pogorelich playing a Debussy prelude in 1977 for a VOX LP which has never been commercially transferred.


Who else plays like this? Michelangeli? Beroff?

[Kalevala]

Well, this is a find, I want more like this. Pogorelich playing a Debussy prelude in 1977 for a VOX LP which has never been commercially transferred.


Who else plays like this? Michelangeli? Beroff?

I've never heard an interpretation close to this in terms of tempo and phrasing.

K