Part two of the extensive programme on this month’s composer, Debussy.
Debussy had trouble to break through to the general public. But in 1902, he did succeed with, among other compositions, La Mer. In this composition he represented the sea — Debussy loved nature dearly. Debussy’s fame did not make him wealthy, on the contrary, he was in financial straits all the time. In 1912, he met the request for a ballet for the Ballets Russes of Diaghilev. He thought the libretto was nonsense, but he could make good use of the money. This is why “Jeux” was written. We conclude the programme with a short piece for flute: Syrinx, a story based on the death of the mythic figure of Pan.
1. La mer. Claude Debussy. Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Valeri Gergiev
2. Preludes 4 and 7 book 2. Claude Debussy. Alexei Lubimov (piano)
3. Jeux. Claude Debussy. Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Pierre Boulez
4. Syrinx. Claude Debussy. Patrick Gallois (flute).
