Debussy's Last Chamber Works
Donald Macleod focuses on Debussy's late burst of creativity in 1915, when he composed a number of works including his Sonata for flute, violin and harp.
He had a profound impact upon music and musicians in his day, and created new genres for the piano and orchestra, this week Donald Macleod explores Claude Debussy through his chamber music.
Debussy had undergone an operation for cancer, which left him very weak and in pain for the rest of his now shortened life. These were the early years of World War One, and Debussy was greatly saddened by reports of the scale of the carnage on the front line. His song, No毛l des enfants qui n'ont plus de maison from 1915, doesn't hold back about the hopelessness of the time.
Debussy had had a burst of creativity in in 1915, where he composed, amongst other things, his Sonata for flute, viola and harp. During these final years of his life, he envisaged writing six sonatas, including some for wind instruments. His plans were never fully met, but he did manage to complete one final chamber work in 1917, his Sonata for violin and piano.
Last on
More episodes
Next
You are at the last episode
Music Played
-
![]()
Claude Debussy
Elegie for piano
Performer: Jean-Efflam Bavouzet.- Chandos.
-
![]()
Claude Debussy
Noel des enfants qui n'ont plus de maison for voice and piano [1915]
Singer: V茅ronique Gens. Performer: Roger Vignoles.- Virgin:.
-
![]()
Claude Debussy
En blanc et noir for 2 pianos
Performer: Claude Helffer. Performer: H氓kon Austb酶. -
![]()
Claude Debussy
Sonate en trio for flute, viola and harp
Performer: Marie鈥怭ierre Langlamet. Performer: Paul Cortese. Performer: Maarika J盲rvi.- Chandos.
-
![]()
Claude Debussy
Sonata in G minor for violin and piano
Performer: Marie鈥怭ierre Langlamet. Performer: Paul Cortese. Performer: Maarika J盲rvi.- EMI.
-
![]()
Claude Debussy
Elegie for piano
Performer: Jean-Efflam Bavouzet.- Chandos.
-
![]()
Claude Debussy
Noel des enfants qui n'ont plus de maison for voice and piano [1915]
Singer: V茅ronique Gens. Performer: Roger Vignoles.- Virgin:.
-
![]()
Claude Debussy
Sonata in G minor for violin and piano
Performer: Marie鈥怭ierre Langlamet. Performer: Paul Cortese. Performer: Maarika J盲rvi.- EMI.
-
![]()
Claude Debussy
En blanc et noir for 2 pianos
Performer: Claude Helffer. Performer: H氓kon Austb酶. -
![]()
Claude Debussy
Sonate en trio for flute, viola and harp
Performer: Marie鈥怭ierre Langlamet. Performer: Paul Cortese. Performer: Maarika J盲rvi.- Chandos.
Broadcasts
- Fri 17 Oct 2014 12:00成人快手 Radio 3
- Fri 17 Oct 2014 18:30成人快手 Radio 3
Beethoven Unleashed 鈥� the box set
The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.
What was really wrong with Beethoven?
Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems
Composers A to Z
Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.
Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week
The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod鈥檚 best stories from the last 20 years
Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem
What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?
A man out of time 鈥� why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...
The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.
Composer Help Page
Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.