He actually wrote all of La Mer far away from any ocean! It became one of his most popular pieces. A rich and dramatic tone poem depicting the natural elements of the ocean (waves, wind).ĭebussy was transfixed by the sea, and found it so hypnotizing that he couldn't work near it. It was so unique that musical society in Paris was split down the middle about it! It's a highly impressionistic piece, with mellow, floating orchestration and watery harmonies. I think these are some of the composer's most dazzling and colorful orchestral pieces. These three tone poems depicting night were inspired by impressionist paintings. It's said that the modernist flute melody which opens the piece breathed new life into music as an art. This piece was inspired by a highly sensuous poem, which Debussy recreates using a simple but highly colorful orchestra. One of Debussy's most well-known tone poems. Prelude a l'Apres-midi d'Un Faune ( Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun).The languid harmonies hint at what Debussy was going to experiment with in the future. Even these early pieces have a highly characteristic sound. This charming suite has one of the composer's most well-loved pieces, the beautiful Clair de Lune (Moonlight). Two early Bach-inspired piano pieces, which feature floating, dream-like music. He bent harmony further and further, and his music took on an extremely floaty and disconnected character. Your browser does not support the audio element.Īs he got older, his music became more radical.

La mer composer