Claude Debussy was born into a poor family in France,
but his obvious gift at the piano sent him to the Paris
Conservatory at age 11. At age 22, he won the Prix de
Rome, which financed two years of further musical study
in the Italian capital. After the turn of the century,
Debussy established himself as the leading figure of
French music.
Debussy showed an early affinity for the piano, and he
began taking lessons at age seven. By age 10 or 11, he
had entered the Paris Conservatory, whe...(+)
Claude Debussy was born into a poor family in France,
but his obvious gift at the piano sent him to the Paris
Conservatory at age 11. At age 22, he won the Prix de
Rome, which financed two years of further musical study
in the Italian capital. After the turn of the century,
Debussy established himself as the leading figure of
French music.
Debussy showed an early affinity for the piano, and he
began taking lessons at age seven. By age 10 or 11, he
had entered the Paris Conservatory, where his
instructors and fellow students recognized his talent
but often found his attempts at musical innovation
strange.
His music is noted for its sensory component and for
not often forming around one key or pitch. Often
Debussy's work reflected the activities or turbulence
in his own life. In French literary circles, the style
of this period was known as symbolism, a movement that
directly inspired Debussy both as a composer and as an
active cultural participant.
Some of the greatest works of the impressionist artists
Renoir and Monet are paintings of a dreamy young woman
gazing at reflections in water, water’s depths, or
the sky. The idea of reflection is very important, as
in impressionism, the reflection is more “real”
than the actuality. In art works such as The Boat
(1867) by Renoir, the impressionist technique allowed
the state of reverie to be boldly explored. It is no
coincidence that one of Debussy’s most popular piano
works is entitled ‘Rêverie’.
‘Rêverie’ moves slowly and deliberately, and yet
with a rhythm that brings to mind water flowing and
bubbling in a fountain. As the song continues, the
music becomes more wavelike in tone. It then becomes
soft and tranquil and moves back and forth in a slight
crescendo only to die away again.
Although this piece was originally written for piano, I
arranged it for Viola and Concert (Pedal) Harp.
SHEET MUSIC