Debussy, C :: Album of Five Pieces

Album of Five Pieces

Debussy, C

International Music Company presents 'Album of Five Pieces' for oboe (or flute) and harp (or piano) by composer Claude Debussy, transcribed and edited by Susan Jolles and Humbert Lucarelli.

'Claude Debussy (1862-1918) was one of the most prominent figures working within the field of Impressionist music. He was born in St-Germain-en-Laye, France, and began piano studies at the Paris Conservatory at the age of 11 and composition studies at the age of 20. Debussy s music is noted for its sensory content and frequent usage of atonality. The definition of reverie is 'a state of being pleasantly lost in one s thoughts; a daydream.' The quiet, reflective passages of this beautifully simple work wander about very much as if in a dream. Reverie was originally written for piano solo but is here transcribed for oboe and piano. In three sections, basically a ternary form, the opening material is a lyrical melody over a gentle ostinato figure. Fairly innocuous harmonically, it does build to a climax of greater harmonic angst. The middle section contrasts in texture by introducing four-part chordal movement, and by modulating further afield in its tonality, the character is enlivened by a passage in the bright key of E major. The return of the opening material is an interesting melody with the ostinato figure appears both above and below. Careful listening to keep the layers well-balanced and the melody well-shaped is needed. The dynamic level is fairly restrained throughout, apart from two bars marked forte.'

- Young Sun Sunny Yoo, 2018