Claude Debussy (1862-1918): "Mes longs cheveux"

The composer Claude Debussy needs little introduction. As a pianist, he was noted for his avoidance of the crisp, dry and articulated style which typified French pianism of the nineteenth century. His style of playing was simple, highly tone-conscious and completely uncluttered by over-expressive angst.

Sadly he made no solo piano acoustic recordings, only piano rolls. However, he was recorded as accompanist to the soprano Mary Garden, in 1904, performing some of his own vocal music.

This is an extract from his opera "Pelléas et Mélisande".

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Claude
• Debussy
• piano
• recording
• classical
• Mes
• longs
• cheveux
• Pelléas
• et
• Mélisande
• Mary
• Garden
• accompanist

[Freotheric]

What a thrill to hear these priceless interpretations. It was Mary Garden who created the role of Mélisande in 1902, at Debussy's insistance--and no wonder why! Debussy playing exhibits a combination of rhythmic freedom and acute tonal precision of phrasing almost unparallelled among pianists, but a perfect revelation of his musical ideas; in Mary Garden's singing we hear the very same acuteness and freedom in the expression of Verlaine's words through music -- poets and singers take note!

[handsomechuck1]

Takes a moment to realize that the space of time separating Mozart and Beethoven from Debussy was only about 100 years.

[jamesjiao]

@Laurabug123 Yes. French 'hair' is almost always in plural.

[StravMishkin2]

These are magical sounds from beyond, a beyond within the noble spirit of Debussy.

It's really shuddering to hear this poet who paints with music.

[Alexknobsob]

A characteristically swung % lilt to his playing for each mood swing.

[handsomechuck1]

@Laurabug123 Yes. As you might guess, there is a scene involving Melisande's long hair.

[Laurabug123]

Is this song... is it called "my long hair...?"

(My French skills are lacking, I'm only in my first year.)

[TheMikester307]

I imagine him sitting at the piano, watching her, waiting paitiently, listening to his own music...

[nostalgiacreep]

i was astounded when i learned that actual recordings of debussy himself existed - as you say, it allows you to feel some conection to him directly, rather than just through history and interpretations of his music.

its amazing to hear him breathe life into his own beautiful work on this recording. he is my absolute favourite composer :)

[88Woland]

This is a rare pleasure!!!