Debussy at 150: The Impressions Still Deceive

The New York Times ^ | August 17, 2012 | Anthony Tommasini

[EveningStar]

CLASSICAL music institutions are usually quick to seize on major anniversaries of a composer’s birth or death as a convenient programming hook. Get ready for the Wagner and Verdi bicentennial celebrations next year.

But what happened to Debussy, born 150 years ago on Wednesday in St.-Germain-en-Laye, west of Paris? His anniversary has drawn surprisingly little notice, at least from major New York institutions. Carnegie Hall, the New York Philharmonic and Lincoln Center have scheduled no special events or festivals.

[Old North State]

I have always enjoyed Debussy's work. I think a comment he once made, that ‘the music is the stuff between the notes’ goes a long way to explaining his approach. That the timing and tempo of a piece are integral to the effect regardless of tonality.

[arrogantsob]

I would not rank Debussey as one of the great composers. He definitely wrote some nice stuff but cannot compare with the truly great: Bach, Mozart, Handel, Beethoven, Haydn etc.

Claire de Lune is a little gem. La Mer is good and his piano music has lots of good stuff in it. But, with the exception of Daphnis and Chloe, his major works are not played that often and I would venture to say that even lovers of classical music have never heard a lot of his bigger pieces.

[EveningStar]

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[sitetest]

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[Borges]

Debussy is one of the most influential composers of all time. He could be said to have kicked off 20th century music (in the 1890s). His influence extends to Jazz and Pop as well.

[COBOL2Java]

I enjoy Debussy, especially his piano works (I always smile at “Golliwogg’s Cakewalk”). However, I’ve always preferred Ravel. As one critic had remarked, “Debussy shimmers, Ravel glitters.”

[avenir]

Art of Noise did an interesting electronic concept album around Debussy, with bits of narration by John Hurt. It was described as "the soundtrack to a film that was never made about the life of Claude Debussy". Interesting, and if you have access to the CD a very high quality recording (produced by Trevor Horn).

[Erasmus]

And then there's Isao Tomita's album Snowflakes Are Dancing. Debussy done as Space Rock.

[dfwgator]

I think a comment he once made, that ‘the music is the stuff between the notes’ goes a long way to explaining his approach.

Or as Miles said, "Don't play what's there; play what's not there."

[Albion Wilde]

And then there's Isao Tomita's album Snowflakes Are Dancing. Debussy done as Space Rock.

Loved it. Wore it out. Still have it.

[nanetteclaret]

Um... "Daphnis & Choloe" is by Ravel. You must be thinking of "Prelude a l′Après-midi d′un Faune" which is a beautiful orchestral work and gets played quite often. His piano compositions "Preludes, Book 1 and 2" and "Images, Set 1 and 2" as well as "Estampes" are absolutely gorgeous. He is the only composer to compose in such as way as to make the piano seem more like a harp than like the percussion instrument that it is.

[Borges]

His goal was the sound of a ‘piano without hammers’.

[Chode]

XM Classical 76 usually does a birthday bash for the notables but nothing today for Debussy... at least not that i heard, shame on them

[Emperor Palpatine]

I adore Debussy, even if I don’t program or perform him often.

Except for “Suite Bergamasque” which gets put on at least one recital program every year. This suite for solo piano includes the iconic “Claire de Lune.

He wrote so fluidly for the piano and was a master orchestrator he only wrote one work for both together, and its not a traditional concerto, but rather a Fantasie for Piano and Orchestra. I played that last in 2004. Its terrific.

[avenir]

Thanks, I’ll check it out.

[nicmarlo]

Have you ever heard of pianist Branka Parlic?

She plays Philip Glass's Metamorphosis 5, beautifully!! This melody was played on Battlestar Galatica, of all places, where I first heard it. I fell in love with it.

[arrogantsob]

You are correct about Ravel. Of course, he and Debussy are practically always associated together.

When you look at the piano from above it IS a harp laid on its side. I never realized that until looking down on the stage at Orchestra Hall one evening.

Wonder why D never wrote any piano concertos (at least any part of the common repertoire) or symphonies.

[arrogantsob]

That could very well be but his works are rather few compared to the Big Guys. And they are not as well known to the ordinary music lover as others.

I love Charles Ives but few have heard his music either.

[arrogantsob]

I agree.

D’s piano music is unsurpassed as seduction music.