Debussy - La Damoiselle Elue (1/3)

Claude Debussy (1862-1918)

Finished in 1888, this cantata for contralto, narrator, soprano soloist, female choir and orchestra, became one of the "envois" submitted by Debussy to the officials of the Grand Prix de Rome - whose favour he had found with "L'enfant prodigue". Such submissions were expected of a prize-winner, and it was intended that Debussy's chosen works would be performed at a concert. In fact this did not take place, and the cantata was not given in public until 1893. Then it was not a success, but later it attracted some popularity. More recently if fell into neglect - surprisingly so, for it is beautifully written, finely orchestrated and firmly constructed.

It is a setting of some stanzas from Dante Gabriel Rosetti's poem "The Blessed Damozel" - translated by Gabriel Sarrazin.

Janet Coster, mezzosoprano and the Symphonica of London conducted by Wynn Morris

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Debussy
• cantata
• prix
• de
• rome

[dippercat]

And it was criticized by the academy as "bizarre".

I find nothing bizarre about it, but then I am not a late 19th century French music scholar. And thank God I am not, because I enjoy this wonderful piece without any preconceptions as to how a cantata is supposed to sound.

[pligana]

this music is really beautiful! thanks for posting this video

[DafniElissa]

it should have been a rossetti painting

[rasboras]

intense beauty!

[IZZYIZZO2001]

@Huntdawwg No it wasn't/ In fact, when he went to concerts where Richard Strauss' music was performed, he would cover his ears because it was so loud. Since Strauss is considered to be Wagner's follow up, Debussy would not be influenced by him. Maybe to a small degree because Wagner influenced everyone, but this style of music is so different from Wagner. Even the orchestra is treated differently.

[amazingwave]

This piece really defines what beauty truly is.

[thejohnmichaelgmail]

This piece was unknown to me 'til now. I was intrigued by a poignant reference to it in the book; "Anatomy of a Murder". I am so glad that I followed the leading of my 'Inner Voice' and searched this out. Wonderful!

[skylighter15]

Way ahead of its time...Thats debussy for you

[Caparsso]

Thank you. Beautiful piece. Pleased to listen!!

[Juliaflo]

I sang this in English in high school with my choir.

[32genaro]

obra sumamente bella,llevo mil años escuchandola y nunca me ha cansado,yo la tengo en una grabacion con bidu sayao,aunque siempre la he escuchado y tambien escucho mucho a wagner , no encuentro su influencia,,ojala y nos explicaras en que consiste o en donde se aprecia, suerte,gracias

[Huntdawwg]

Yes but it was strongly influenced by Richard Wagner, because this was written shortly after his death n people were still writing music of a similar style to his. ;)