Debussy La Soiree Estampes

Question 1

Debussy made a brief visit to where, and what was he attracted by?

Answer 1

He went to Spain
Attracted by the exoticism

Question 2

What is the most important rhythmic device found in la soirée?
What is also an essential characteristic of this?

Answer 2

The habanera rhythm, features dotted quaver, semi quaver and two quavers.
Staccato, can be found throughout 5-16.

Question 3

Guitar is also important in flamenco music, what does debussy do to recreate this? Give example of bar.

Answer 3

He uses spread chords, typically staccato, which recreate guitar strumming. Can be found at end of phrases past bar 17 .

Question 4

What is the name of the melodic idea found at bar 7

Answer 4

The moorish lament,
Which is starts with extreme dissonances. With
Distinctive augmented second

Question 5

What type of chords are commonly heard throughout the piece?

Answer 5

Parallel 7nth chords

Question 6

What frequently happens to the tempo of the piece?

Answer 6

It frequently changes, such as in bar 109

Question 7

What scale does Debussy use in bar 24

Answer 7

Whole tone scale

Question 8

What related work is an example of the habanera rhythm and staccato chords.

Answer 8

Habanera - carmen

Question 9

Give an example of another composers flamenco influenced

Answer 9

Rhapsody espagnole Liszt
Use of extreme dissonance
Mirroring spread chords

Question 10

Similarly to pagodes what features happen as well?

Answer 10

Frequent tempo changes and parallel chords (7nths)

Question 11

Why do u hear extreme ranges in pitch throughout the piece?

Answer 11

To create interest and go away from traditional romantic ideas of composition.

Question 12

Echoes of Spain diagnosis Reinhardt