

But the other thematic material is alternately sad and sinister, with occasional suggestions of military drums and fanfares. When will we stop confiding the destiny of the nations to people who consider humanity as a means of achieving power? The epigraph for the third movement, dedicated to. When then will hate end? And indeed is it hate that we should speak of in this story? The composer, writing to a friend about his music, his cancer treatments, and the war, concludes: Death continues to exact its blind tribute. The battle is fierce, but the French are clearly the winners.

Battle sounds are suggested by dissonant drum- like bass intervals. The music pits the Germans, represented by Luther's chorale Ein Feste Burg (which Debussy had used years before to characterize the Protestantism of writer Andr. With intense poetic imagery, the 1.ĭebussy set for voice and piano) condemns to damnation. In the score, it is preceded by an excerpt from Francois Villon's. The second movment is dedicated to Lieutenant Jacques Charlot. Eventually, the two pianists agree and conclude the movement with a triple forte chord in C Major. Fanfares insinuate themselves into the texture. Ī variety of military- sounding figures repeatedly interrupt the flow of the waltz. For Debussy the dance is a metaphor for the war and the disgrace is his inability to fight due to age and, for him, shameful illness.
#Debussy blanc et noir program notes free
In free translation: He who does not dance.īut remains in his place. Debussy did not particularly admire the music of Gounod, but did consider him an important French composer.

Debussy gives us no help in establishing a connection: the painter who inspired the original title, Caprices en blanc et noir, was Goya and when the composer decided to lighten the color of the second movement, it was in favor of Velasquez.Įach movement is preceded by an epigraph that evokes French cultural tradition. Standard notation, introductory text and performance notes (does not include words.Īs for politics, Saint- Sa. We are privileged to continue publishing his program notes. En Blanc et Noir (1915) by Claude Debussy, Fantaisie - Tableaux (1893) by Sergei Rachmaninoff. Title of Dissertation: PIANISTIC VIRTUOSITY IN CHAMBER MUSIC FROM 1893 -1962. In addressing an attack of such virulence to Faur. The writer was the great Camille Saint- Sa. It is UNBELIEVABLE, and we must at all cost bar the gate of the Institute against a gentleman capable of such atrocities they should be put next to the cubist paintings. En blanc et noir : for two pianos (15:00). Debussy: Etudes For Piano, En Blanc & Noir / Jacobs, Kalish Release Date: Label: Nonesuch Catalog #: 79161 Spars Code: AAD Composer: Claude Debussy Performer: Paul Jacobs. Visions de l'Amen Debussy: En blanc et noir. The premiere of Visions de l'amen included brief program notes by the composer that explained the four meanings of amen. I advise you to look at the pieces for 2 pianos, Noir et Blanc. 15, 1999) Debussy: Sonata for Flute, Viola. PROGRAM NOTES & TRANSLATIONS (for Sept.The composer wrote of En blanc et noir that the movements 'derive their color and feeling merely from the. Composer Fellowship Program National Composers Intensive.Claude Debussy 1862-1918 En Blanc et Noir. Quattro Mani’s blistering performance forms the beating heart of an arresting recital”. French music wrote to his distinguished former student. Two- Piano Music of Messiaen & Debussy On December 2.
