Chapter 63

Paris in the Belle Époque: Debussy, Fauré, and Lili Boulanger

Lecture Overview

• Paris at the turn of the 20th century• Impressionism and symbolism in French painting

and literature• Claude Debussy

– life and music– “En sourdine”– “Reflets dans l’eau”– “Nuages”

• Gabriel Fauré– life and music– “Dans la forêt de septembre”

• Lili Boulanger– life and music– “Elle est gravement gaie”

• Review

The Life of Claude Debussy (1862–1918)

• 1862 born near Paris• 1872 enters the Paris Conservatory• 1885 wins the Prix de Rome• 1887 returns to Paris• 1902 premiere of opera Pelléas et Mélisande• 1918 dies in Paris

Principal Compositions by Claude Debussy

• Piano: character pieces including Preludes and Etudes• Songs: some 60• Chamber music: including

– String Quartet– Sonata for cello and piano– Sonata for flute, viola, and harp– Sonata for violin and piano

• Orchestra: tone poems and character pieces including– Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun– Nuages– The Sea (La mer)

• Opera and ballet:– Pelléas et Mélisande (opera)– Jeux (ballet)

Impressionism in Painting and Music

When we compare a painting such as Claude Monet’s Wild Poppies (above, 1873) to a work by Claude Debussy such as Reflets dans l’eau, we find the similarities that have led audiences from Debussy’s time to our own to refer to both as “Impressionists.” Both favored subjects drawn from nature at its most beautiful, and both use pure colors to bring their scenery alive. A strictness of organization beneath the surfaces of these works supports an apparent freedom above. Most of all, both painter and musician are refined, subtle, and supremely evocative.

Claude Debussy, “En sourdine,” 1891, from Fêtes galantes I

Through-composed or free ternary form

Claude Debussy, “Reflets dans l’eau” from Images I for piano, 1905

Free form (with elements of sonata form) 72

Claude Debussy, “Nuages,” from Three Nocturnes for orchestra, 1900

Ternary form

The Life of Gabriel Fauré (1845–1924)

• 1845 born in a village in south-central France• 1854 studies church music in Paris• 1866 begins the career of church organist

and choir director• 1874 appointed choirmaster at Church of the

Madeleine in Paris (later becomes its organist)

• 1905 appointed professor at the Paris Conservatory, later its

Director• 1924 dies in Paris

Principal Compositions of Gabriel Fauré

• Songs: over 100• Dramatic music: operas and incidental music

to plays (including Maeterlinck’s Pelléas et Mélisande)

• Chorus: motets and a Requiem (1877, later revised)

• Chamber music: sonatas for violin and for cello, music with piano

• Piano: nocturnes, impromptus, barcarolles; Dolly for piano four hands

Gabriel Fauré, “Dans la forêt de septembre,” 1902 Rondo form

The Life of Lili Boulanger (1893–1918)

• 1893 born in Paris to family of leading musicians

• 1898 enrolls at the Paris Conservatory, studies with Gabriel Fauré

• 1913 wins the Prix de Rome, the first female composer to be so honored

• 1918 dies in Paris of Crohn’s disease, age of 24

Principal Compositions by Lili Boulanger

• Chorus: several pieces for the church; cantata Faust et Helène

• Piano: preludes, variations, character pieces• Songs: include the cycle Clairières dans le

ciel

Lili Boulanger, “Elle est gravement gaie” from Clairières dans le ciel, 1914

Ternary form

Review Key Terms

• Belle époque• Paul Verlaine• fête galante• impressionism• Claude Monet• whole-tone scale• octatonic scale• pentatonic scale