Debussy, born Claude Achille Debussy at Saint Germain-en-Laye, France on August 22, 1862, was a profound composer of the twentieth century. Because of the similarities his compositions share with impressionist art, many refer to Debussy as an impressionists. Impressionist, according to the online Webster dictionary, is defined as “one who adheres to the theory or method of impressionism in art; especially, a painter who paints in the impressionistic style; as, the skyrocketing prices of paintings by the French impressionists.” This is a designation Debussy was not particularly fond of. In his opinion, all variety of color and light could be representing with music in one performance, while only a single moment is captured in a painting.
…show more content…
Nocturnes, according to a review by Mark DeVoto, “was arguably Debussy’s farthest-reaching forward leap into the future of music”, and are said to “proclaim a new world”. Before reaching final form, the triptych went through several alterations. The composition began in 1898, with the final score complete by the end of 1899. The three nocturnes making up this collection are not your ordinary nocturnes, but are instead impressions. Objects are not described in this collection, but are alternatively fantasized upon, almost as if a dream. The three nocturnes referenced are: nuages, commonly known as clouds; fȇtes, commonly referred to as festivals; and siréns, referred to as dangerous, yet beautiful Greek mythological creatures. According to Debussy, the nocturne Nuages signifies “the unchanging aspect of the sky, and the slow, solemn movement of the clouds dissolving in gray tints lightly touched with white”. He also describes Fȇtes as “the restless dancing rhythm of the atmosphere interspersed with sudden flashes of …show more content…
Nuages presents a blend of long sustained notes topped with shorter chords. Debussy’s Trios Scenes au Crepuscale, has been assumed to be an earlier version of Nocturnes. The initial piece Nuages was to consist of only strings, with the addition of flutes, horns, trumpets, and harps to follow in the second, Fȇtes. The final piece Sirénes, was to be inclusive of the initial two. The 1895 version of this composition was further revised to make up the final version of this composition which also included woodwinds to accompany the string choir, and the addition of women voices. Harmony was used by Debussy to achieve color, and the melody is not as dominating as the harmony. The incorporation of harmony and rhythm in the melody creates a sounds that is pleasing to
Nocturnes, according to a review by Mark DeVoto, “was arguably Debussy’s farthest-reaching forward leap into the future of music”, and are said to “proclaim a new world”. Before reaching final form, the triptych went through several alterations. The composition began in 1898, with the final score complete by the end of 1899. The three nocturnes making up this collection are not your ordinary nocturnes, but are instead impressions. Objects are not described in this collection, but are alternatively fantasized upon, almost as if a dream. The three nocturnes referenced are: nuages, commonly known as clouds; fȇtes, commonly referred to as festivals; and siréns, referred to as dangerous, yet beautiful Greek mythological creatures. According to Debussy, the nocturne Nuages signifies “the unchanging aspect of the sky, and the slow, solemn movement of the clouds dissolving in gray tints lightly touched with white”. He also describes Fȇtes as “the restless dancing rhythm of the atmosphere interspersed with sudden flashes of …show more content…
Nuages presents a blend of long sustained notes topped with shorter chords. Debussy’s Trios Scenes au Crepuscale, has been assumed to be an earlier version of Nocturnes. The initial piece Nuages was to consist of only strings, with the addition of flutes, horns, trumpets, and harps to follow in the second, Fȇtes. The final piece Sirénes, was to be inclusive of the initial two. The 1895 version of this composition was further revised to make up the final version of this composition which also included woodwinds to accompany the string choir, and the addition of women voices. Harmony was used by Debussy to achieve color, and the melody is not as dominating as the harmony. The incorporation of harmony and rhythm in the melody creates a sounds that is pleasing to