Description: 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 an article by one of Debussy_s original conductors, Desire-Emile Inghelbrecht, on the opera Pelleas et Melisande in performance and an interview with composer-conductor Pierre Boulez on approaches to Pelleas and the orchestral works.
