Claude Debussy (1862-1918)
- Ondine (from Préludes II)
- Jardins sous la pluie (from Estampes)
The 'first-rated water-composer'
of course is Claude Debussy. His orchestral opus 'La Mèr'
gained world fame. Also inspired by water are his piano pieces 'Reflets
dans l'eau', 'Des pas sur la neige', 'La cathédrale angloutie', 'Brouillards',
'Poissons d'or', and many others. 'Ondine' is the name of the mythical
German waternymphe, who makes sailors dive in the sea when singing her
song of seduction. Of course the sailors drown and what's left afterwards
is the calm rippling of the watersurface. 'Jardins sous la pluie' (Gardens
in the rain) is an impressionistic picture of gardes where after a splashing
rain shower the sun emerges again. The style of Debussy is exotic, subtle
and above all things colourful.