CLAUDE DEBUSSY la musique a moi – A Book/CD about the French composer who so greatly influenced musical development out now from Utopia Records and Mikri Arktos Publications with the support of the MCF and the IFA
A Book/CD about the French composer who so greatly influenced musical development out now from Utopia Records ( http://utopiamusic.gr ) and Mikri Arktos Publications (http://www.mikri-arktos.gr/work/claude-debussy-la-musique-a-moi) with the support of the Michael Cacoyannis Foundation and the French Institute of Athens.
A story which portrays the individuality of Claude Debussy, the uniqueness of his music, his relationship with the impressionist painters, the symbolist poets Baudelaire, Verlaine, Mallarmé, the composer Maurice Ravel, friendships and tempestuous love affairs, his love for his young daughter Chouchou. This narration is accompanied by recordings of some of the most important works of the composer, interpreted by the pianist Dionissis Mallouchos, the flutist Natalia Geraki, the soprano Mirsini Margariti and bass singer Tasos Apostolou. The narration is by the actress Mania Papadimitriou.
The publication of this book/CD was prompted by the 150th anniversary since the birth of the French composer. Initially the concept was presented on stage in a dramatization of musical history in December 2012 at the Michael Cacoyannis theatre hall. It was the impact of this performance which led to the desire to capture it on disc. The music chosen from Debussys works was selected in accordance with the dramatic development of the performance.
The ensemble have adapted works for the flute, piano and vocals – even those pieces which the composer had written exclusively for the piano or orchestra – convinced that in this way the music is not only without constraints and confinement but also open to new possibilities of expression and sound.
What is that which makes Debussy special? He sought inspiration from things other than music, from dreams and impressions. He once said, characteristically that music should be seen a statement which denotes his passion for colour and his visual approach to an art which is fundamentally acoustic. Pioneering in rhythm, harmony and orchestration, he was the first contemporary composer.
Whats more, he never compromised his beliefs for a more prominent place in Paris musical circles, turning all his energy to the search for his own true voice, his own music, his Musique à moi.
Recorded works:
La fille aux cheveux de lin, Nuit détoiles, La flute de Pan (Syrinx), Pour invoquer Pan dieu du vent dété, Prélude à laprés midi dun Faune, Pelléas & Mélisande, Reflets dans leau, Clair de Lune, Golliwoggs cake-walk, Noël des enfants qui nont plus de maison, Beau Soir.
Interpreters:
Dionissis Mallouchos, piano
Natalia Geraki, flute
Mirsini Margariti, soprano
Tassos Apostolou, bass
Mania Papadimitriou, narration
The book/CD is available at the Michael Cacoyannis Foundation shop
