Debussy – Nocturnes (1889)

In three movements:

1. Nuages 

“One day, in stormy weather, as Debussy was crossing the Pont de la Concorde in Paris with his friend Paul Poujaud, he told him that on a similar kind of day the idea of the symphonic work “Clouds” had occurred to him: he had visualized those very thunderclouds swept along by a stormy wind; a boat passing, with its horn sounding. These two impressions are recalled in the languorous succession of chords and by the short chromatic theme on the English horn”

2. Fêtes 

Of this, Debussy said:

” ‘Fêtes’ gives the vibrating, dancing rhythm of the atmosphere with sudden flashes of light. There is also the episode of the procession (a dazzling fantastic vision), which passes through the festive scene and becomes merged in it. But the background remains resistantly the same: the festival with its blending of music and luminous dust participating in the cosmic rhythm… it was inspired by a recollection of merry-making in the Bois de Boulogne, with noisy crowds watching the drum and bugle corps of the Garde Nationale pass in parade”

3. Sirènes

Again, Debussy said:

” ‘Sirènes’ depicts the sea and its countless rhythms and presently, amongst the waves silvered by the moonlight, is heard the mysterious song of the Sirens as they laugh and pass on”

In terms of broadening your arts and cultural knowledge, one school of thought links these Nocturnes to the Nocturne paintings of the American painter James McNeill Whistler as an inspiration for Debussy – you can see a collection of them by clicking here. What do you think – do you see or hear a connection? Both men were inspired by the Far East – Debussy and the Javanese gamelan, Whistler and Japanese woodblock painting. 

The Nocturnes were later transcribed by Maurice Ravel and Raoul Bardac (Debussy’s pupil and stepson), which you can see/hear here: