Reflets dans l'eau: A reflection on a piano piece by Claude Debussy in relation to impressionism
2022 (English)Independent thesis Basic level (degree of Bachelor), 10 credits / 15 HE credits
Student thesis [Artistic work]
Abstract [en]
Claude Debussy was the first composer to be described as an impressionist. Impressionistic artists and writers around fin de siècle were pioneers in their fields, creating new colours and describing light in new and inventive ways. Scientists were equally amazed with water and light and tried their best to describe it in a theoretical manner. Water and light are strong symbols in art and is the basis for all life. The purpose of this thesis is to dive deep into Debussy’s piano piece Reflets dans l’eau, in order to gain a better understanding of the musical language and style, in relation to impressionism. Reflets dans l’eau is one of the most significant pieces in the piano literature. Methodologically, articles and books were used to gain a better understanding of the subject, as well as interviews with two piano professors, that both have studied the piece in detail. Music analysis on the form of the piece and its motives were conducted. The results of the thesis indicate that Debussy in the most extraordinary way describes the law of nature and musically reflects on water and light in his magnificent piano piece, Reflets dans l’eau. It is ‘narcissistic’ in the way that it mirrors its own motives.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2022. , p. 18
Keywords [en]
Claude Debussy, impressionism, light, piano, reflections, Reflets dans l’eau, water
National Category
Music
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:kmh:diva-4597OAI: oai:DiVA.org:kmh-4597DiVA, id: diva2:1668823
Educational program
Kandidatprogram musiker
Presentation
2022-06-01, Kungasalen, Kungliga Musikhögskolan, Stockholm, 18:00 (English)
Supervisors
Examiners
Note
Examination concert:
J. S. Bach - från Engelsk Suite no. 2 i a-moll: I. Preludium
L. V. Beethoven - Piano sonata op. 90, e-moll, no. 27: I. Mit Lebhaftigkeit und durchaus mit Empfindung und Ausdruck, II. Nicht zu geschwind und sehr singbar vorgetragen
C. Debussy, Images, bok 1: I. Reflets dans l’eau, II. Hommage a Rameau, III. Mouvement
S. Rachmaninoff Etyd, op. 39, no. 8 i d-moll
Tómas R. Einarsson, Hjarta mitt, performed with Johan Tengholm (double bass)
2022-06-142022-06-132022-06-14Bibliographically approved