Debussy, Claude (1862-1918)

[Dave2002]

Debussy wrote a Première Rhapsodie for clarinet and accompaniment, originally for clarinet examinations at the Paris Conservatoire.

Did he ever write a Deuxième?

[rauschwerk]

Nope.

[Richard Barrett]

That isn't quite true - there is also a rhapsody for alto saxophone and orchestra, orchestrated by Jean Roger-Ducasse from a short score Debussy left incomplete at his death.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_ikPiMRxRE

[Serial_Apologist]

That isn't quite true - there is also a rhapsody for alto saxophone and orchestra, orchestrated by Jean Roger-Ducasse from a short score Debussy left incomplete at his death.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_ikPiMRxRE

Thanks - I hadn't heard of this piece before now. Anything previously unheard by this composer truly makes my day!

One of the alternative youtubes dates the piece between 1901 and 1911, which makes sense in terms of the sound of the music and its materials: the opening theme has reminiscences of "L'après-midi" and maybe unsurprising pre-echoes of the solo flute piece "Syrinx", composed a year later.

[Dave2002]

That isn't quite true - there is also a rhapsody for alto saxophone and orchestra, orchestrated by Jean Roger-Ducasse from a short score Debussy left incomplete at his death.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_ikPiMRxRE

Indeed, but I don't think there was a second Rhapsodie for clarinet - so the first one, with the grand title "Première Rhapsodie" seems to have been a little bit over optimistic.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Indeed, but I don't think there was a second Rhapsodie for clarinet - so the first one, with the grand title "Première Rhapsodie" seems to have been a little bit over optimistic.

Not necessarily - the First Brandenburg Concerto for 2 Hunting Horns, 3 Oboes, Bassoon, Piccolo Violin, 2 Violins, Viola and Basso Continuo wasn't followed by a Second Brandenburg Concerto for 2 Hunting Horns, 3 Oboes, Bassoon, Piccolo Violin, 2 Violins, Viola and Basso Continuo. Berio's Sequenza I for solo Flute wasn't followed by the Sequenza II for solo Flute ...

[Dave2002]

Not necessarily - the First Brandenburg Concerto for 2 Hunting Horns, 3 Oboes, Bassoon, Piccolo Violin, 2 Violins, Viola and Basso Continuo wasn't followed by a Second Brandenburg Concerto for 2 Hunting Horns, 3 Oboes, Bassoon, Piccolo Violin, 2 Violins, Viola and Basso Continuo. Berio's Sequenza I for solo Flute wasn't followed by the Sequenza II for solo Flute ...

Fair does - well spotted - almost worthy of pedants' corner, I think.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

[jayne lee wilson]

That isn't quite true - there is also a rhapsody for alto saxophone and orchestra, orchestrated by Jean Roger-Ducasse from a short score Debussy left incomplete at his death.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_ikPiMRxRE

There's a lovely recording of it in this fascinating anthology, and if you don't know the Choral Varié of Vincent D'Indy you're in for a gorgeous, languorous, decadently laid-back treat....

http://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/dindy-schmitt-tomasi-milhaud-debussy-saxophone-concertos-vladimir-jurowski/0743216751020

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/CDs-Vinyl/Works-Saxophone-Orchestra-Claude-Debussy/B00002DEYC/ref=sr_1_9?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1489095601&sr=1-9&keywords=debussy+saxophone

[Joseph K]

I have to say, Debussy's Pelleas is incredibly beautiful, but its exquisite expression is a subtle one. I've only listened to the whole thing through about twice. The first time I followed the libretto along with it - but found the storyline a bit moot. I think this is the first time I've ever listened to a whole opera without following the libretto (except Ferneyhough's Shadowtime) and it's made me wonder why I haven't done it more. Just listening to great music and singing is enough.

[Richard Barrett]

I have to say, Debussy's Pelleas is incredibly beautiful, but its exquisite expression is a subtle one. I've only listened to the whole thing through about twice. The first time I followed the libretto along with it - but found the storyline a bit moot. I think this is the first time I've ever listened to a whole opera without following the libretto (except Ferneyhough's Shadowtime) and it's made me wonder why I haven't done it more. Just listening to great music and singing is enough.

That's interesting, I don't often listen to opera with a libretto, for the works I know I would have done it once at some point to get an idea of what's going on, but after (and before) that I'm on my own. I must get to know Pelléas better though, I'm very interested in Debussy at the moment, partly because for some weird reason my 2yo son insists on listening to La Mer every morning. Who know's what's going on in that little head.

[Joseph K]

some weird reason my 2yo son insists on listening to La Mer every morning. Who know's what's going on in that little head.

Aww that's great! Sounds like something great, whatever it is. :p

I probably exaggerated when I said it's the first time ever... but nonetheless (and I'm probably just saying this for totally uninteresting personal reasons) for some reason the idea of listening to an opera aside from its storyline is somewhat liberating...

[Serial_Apologist]

That's interesting, I don't often listen to opera with a libretto, for the works I know I would have done it once at some point to get an idea of what's going on, but after (and before) that I'm on my own. I must get to know Pelléas better though, I'm very interested in Debussy at the moment, partly because for some weird reason my 2yo son insists on listening to La Mer every morning. Who know's what's going on in that little head.

La mer was pretty much my starting point into modernism - so he's got a 13 year head start on me; you're lucky!

[Richard Barrett]

La mer was pretty much my starting point into modernism - so he's got a 13 year head start on me; you're lucky!

He has modernism in his genes, S_A!

[Bryn]

He has modernism in his genes, S_A!

Never took you for a Lysenkoist.