Debussy La Mer [Paperback]

Arguably the greatest and most original French symphony, La Mer is considered in the context of Debussy's personal and musical development. Detailed discussion of performance styles draws on current recordings; studies of rhythm, motif and tonality show how Debussy generates narratives across the three movements.Arguably the greatest and most original French symphony, La Mer is considered in the context of Debussy's personal and musical development. Detailed discussion of performance styles draws on current recordings; studies of rhythm, motif and tonality show how Debussy generates narratives across the three movements.La Mer stands at the center of Debussy's achievement. Described by the composer as a seascape without figures, it is arguably the greatest and most original French symphony. In this study, La Mer is considered in the context of Debussy's personal and musical development. Detailed discussion of performance styles draw on current recordings, and two analytical chapters trace the growth of ideas through the work. Studies of rhythm, motif and tonality show how Debussy generates narratives across the three movements.Preface, acknowledgements, notes on editions and references, piano arrangements; 1. Debussy: 19031905; 2. Genesis; 3. La Mer in performance; 4. The 'invisible sentiments of nature'; 5. Genre and style; 6. Design; 7. Material and 'immaterial' music; 8. Afterword; Notes; Selected bibliography; Index. With its many examples of music, six pages of footnotes, and select bibliography, this is a very rewarding study of a complex work that has profoundly affected the music of our century. Choice This book certainly will appeal to the audience of knowledgeable music lovers for which it is intended, and it should be required reading for conductors. For this reason it will be of interest to general libraries and music-trade professionals. Richard S. Parks, Book Reviews