Debussy: Works for Piano

Featuring

Nelson Goerner
Claude Debussy

Did you know?

1/7

Composer Biography

Claude Debussy's solo piano works span his entire creative output, from his early mélodies (songs) of 1882-1885 to his three sonatas of 1915-1917.

Composition History

Debussy's "L'Isle joyeuse" was conceived during his early Suite bergamasque period but was actually written and completed in August 1904 on the island of Jersey, where he and Emma Bardac were beginning their relationship.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Debussy's "Hommage à Rameau" is a tribute to Jean-Philippe Rameau, a French Baroque composer, and was inspired by a "Rameau Revival" and a complete edition of his works that Debussy collaborated on.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Debussy, who rarely traveled, compensated for his lack of direct experience with other cultures by using his imagination, as he stated: "When you don't have the means to travel, you must compensate with your imagination."

Composition History

Debussy's Estampes, composed in 1903, mark a significant turning point in his piano output, moving beyond earlier charming student pieces.

Compositional Technique

Debussy's "Pagodes" from Estampes is more Balinese than Chinese, featuring gamelan sounds, pentatonic scales, and a sustained bass pedal.

Composition History

Debussy never visited Spain, except possibly for a brief trip to San Sebastián in 1880, yet his "La Soirée dans Grenade" is described as a "completely natural-seeming espagnolade."