(August 2019) Episode 227 is CLAUDE DEBUSSY. I enjoy his music more than I should, since I’m not a fan of impressionist art or French culture. But the color and texture of his compositions grab you, sometimes as if they were beings with their own personality. Certain piano pieces, such as the préludes and études, must be exceedingly difficult to perform. He didn’t kill pianos like Liszt or Rachmaninoff, but certainly wore them out. He was ahead of his time.
Favorite piece: Prelude to the afternoon of a faun
Favorite chamber piece: Sonata for cello and piano
Favorite longer orchestral piece: La mer
Favorite piano piece: 12 Ètudes
Compared to expectations: same
Opus Project 