Debussy criticized German music as 'too heavy and unclear,' preferring lightness and clarity in his own compositions.
Instruments
The 'chromatic harp' by Pleyel, for which Debussy's Deux Danses were commissioned, used two rows of strings instead of pedals to achieve a full chromatic range.
Compositional Technique
Debussy resisted orthodox 'development' of his ideas, preferring 'fantaisie' through free variation, similar to Monet's approach to painting the Rouen Cathedral façade.
Composition History
Debussy's String Quartet was considered a bold move, as major composers like César Franck and Gabriel Fauré did not venture into the genre until much later in life.
Historical Context
The Société nationale de Musique, founded in 1871 with the motto 'Ars Gallica,' provided a platform for younger French composers after the Franco-Prussian War.
Performer Biography
Sioned Williams, the harpist on this recording, has been the Principal Harpist of the BBC Symphony Orchestra since 1990 and commissions new works that push boundaries.
Composer Biography
At age 17, Debussy was recommended to Tchaikovsky's patroness, Nadejda von Meck, as a pianist to accompany her and her children on their travels.
