Debussy's Nocturnes, an impressionist work first performed in 1899, is in three sections depicting Clouds, Festivals and Sirens. I. Nuages (Clouds) II. Fêtes (Festivals) III. Sirènes (Sirens) The three movements were inspired by a series of impressionist paintings, also entitled "Nocturnes" by James Abbott McNeill Whistler. Debussy wrote an "introductory note" to Nocturnes as follows: "The title Nocturnes is to be interpreted here in a general and, more particularly, in a decorative sense. Therefore, it is not meant to designate the usual form of the Nocturne, but rather all the various impressions and the special effects of light that the word suggests. 'Nuages' renders the immutable aspect of the sky and the slow, solemn motion of the clouds, fading away in grey tones lightly tinged with white. 'Fêtes' gives us 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. '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." en.wikipedia.org (The music is performed by Charles Dutoit and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra.) (The short film used in Part I ...

• published: 09 May 2012
• views: 2793
• author: christomacin

Debussy's Nocturnes, an impressionist work first performed in 1899, is in three sections depicting Clouds, Festivals and Sirens. I. Nuages (Clouds) II. Fêtes (Festivals) III. Sirènes (Sirens) The three movements were inspired by a series of impressionist paintings, also entitled "Nocturnes" by James Abbott McNeill Whistler. Debussy wrote an "introductory note" to Nocturnes as follows: "The title Nocturnes is to be interpreted here in a general and, more particularly, in a decorative sense. Therefore, it is not meant to designate the usual form of the Nocturne, but rather all the various impressions and the special effects of light that the word suggests. 'Nuages' renders the immutable aspect of the sky and the slow, solemn motion of the clouds, fading away in grey tones lightly tinged with white. 'Fêtes' gives us 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. '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." en.wikipedia.org (The music is performed by Charles Dutoit and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra.) (The short film used in Part I ...

• published: 09 May 2012
• views: 2793
• author: christomacin