Debussy in Performance

Claude Debussy, who composed works of major significance in a wide range of musical and theatrical genres, has exerted a fundamental influence on musicians of the twentieth century. This book explores how Debussy’s compositions are brought to life in performance, investigating the composer’s own expectations, the traditions surrounding the performance of his music, and the internal and contextual evidence that can give insight to performers of his works. Leading international scholars and interpreters of Debussy’s music draw on his letters and music criticism as well as on the memoirs of performers close to him to discuss issues of performance forces, tempo and its flexibility, performer license, and the interpretation of expressive indications in the scores. They urge performers to recognize the symbolism and the value of silence in Debussy’s work. And they show that it is particularly important to focus on aspects of timbre, voice-leading, and the musical arabesque, together with meter and phrase ambiguities, when playing his music. The book also includes the translation of an article on the opera __Pelléas et Mélisande__ in performance by one of Debussy’s original conductors, Désiré-Emile Inghelbrecht, and an interview with the composer-conductor Pierre Boulez on approaches to __Pelléas__ and the orchestral works. Claude Debussy, who composed works of major significance in a wide range of musical and theatrical genres, has exerted a fundamental influence on musicians of the twentieth century. This book explores how Debussy’s compositions are brought to life in performance, investigating the composer’s own expectations, the traditions surrounding the performance of his music, and the internal and contextual evidence that can give insight to performers of his works.

Leading international scholars and interpreters of Debussy’s music draw on his letters and music criticism as well as on the memoirs of performers close to him to discuss issues of performance forces, tempo and its flexibility, performer license, and the interpretation of expressive indications in the scores. They urge performers to recognize the symbolism and the value of silence in Debussy’s work. And they show that it is particularly important to focus on aspects of timbre, voice-leading, and the musical arabesque, together with meter and phrase ambiguities, when playing his music. The book also includes the translation of an article on the opera Pelléas et Mélisande in performance by one of Debussy’s original conductors, Désiré-Emile Inghelbrecht, and an interview with the composer-conductor Pierre Boulez on approaches to Pelléas and the orchestral works. Claude Debussy, who composed works of major significance in a wide range of musical and theatrical genres, has exerted a fundamental influence on musicians of the twentieth century. This book explores how Debussy's compositions are brought to life in performance, investigating the composer's own expectations, the traditions surrounding the performance of his music, and the internal and contextual evidence that can give insight to performers of his works.Leading international scholars and interpreters of Debussy's music draw on his letters and music criticism as well as on the memoirs of performers close to him to discuss issues of performance forces, tempo and its flexibility, performer license, and the interpretation of expressive indications in the scores. They urge performers to recognize the symbolism and the value of silence in Debussy's work. And they show that it is particularly important to focus on aspects of timbre, voice-leading, and the musical arabesque, together with meter and phrase ambiguities, when playing his music. The book also includes the translation of an article on the opera Pelleas et Melisande In performance by one of Debussy's original conductors, Desire-Emile Inghelbrecht, and an interview with the composer-conductor Pierre Boulez on approaches to Pelleas and the orchestral works. Claude Debussy Has Exerted A Fundamental Influence On Musicians Of The Twentieth Century. This Book Explores How Debussy's Compositions Are Brought To Life In Performance, Investigating The Composer's Own Expectations, The Traditions Surrounding The Performance Of His Music, And The Internal And Contextual Evidence That Can Give Insight To Performers Of His Works.--jacket. Debussy On Performance / Richard Langham Smith -- Symbolism And Performance / Claude Abravanel -- Pelléas Et Mélisande In Performance / Louis-marc Suter -- Debussy And Orchestral Performance / James R. Briscoe -- Debussy And Early Debussystes At The Piano / Cecilia Dunoyer -- Debussy, The Dance, And The Faune / Stephanie Jordan -- Thoughts On The History Of (re)interpreting Debussy's Songs / Brooks Toliver -- How Not To Perform Pelléas Et Mélisande / Désiré-emile Inghelbrecht -- Debussy, Pelléas, And Orchestral Conducting / James R. Briscoe -- Structure And Performance / Richard S. Parks -- Timbre, Voice-leading, And The Musical Arabesque In Debussy's Piano Music / Jann Pasler. Edited By James R. Briscoe. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 285-290) And Index. In this book distinguished musicologists and performers explore how the diverse compositions of Claude Debussy are brought to life in performance. The contributors investigate the composer`s own expectations, the traditions surrounding the performance of his music, and the insights that internal and contextual evidence can give to those who would perform Debussy`s works. An exploration of how the compositions of Claude Debussy are brought to life in performance. It investigates the composer's own expectations, the traditions surrounding the performance of his music, and the internal and contextual evidence that can give insight to performers of his works.