Debussy Nuages Flashcards
What are the two ways that the structure of Nuages can be interpreted?
Can be understood as
1. a series of rotations of two main melodic ideas X and Y
2. a loose ternary form (ABA’)
What style is the piece in?
Impressionist
What scales are used in the piece?
- Whole tone scale
- Octatonic scale
- G acoustic scale
What bars is Rotation 1 in?
bars 1-10
Describe the key elements of the X theme in Rotation 1
- Distinctive 6 note figure
- Octatonically inflected B minor
- Homophonic texture
- Clarinet and bassoon create rich sonority
- Continuous crotchet diads
- Octave doubling
Describe the key elements of the Y theme in Rotation 1
- Cor anglais melody
- Begins with triplet
- Tritone span
- Metric dissonance of melody (4/4 contrasts with 6/4 and creates blurry sense of pulse)
- G dominant 7th chord on divided strings
- B pedal
- Uses pure octatonic scale
Where does Rotation 2 begin?
Baar 11
Describe the X theme in Rotation 2
- Different sonority (strings instead of woodwind)
- Dominant 9ths in bar 14
- Diads still used but doubled more
- Pizzicato falling 5ths in bar 15
Where is the interpolation in Rotation 2
Bar 17-20
What are the key features of the interpolation in Rotation 2?
- 2 bar sequential effect (G9 for 2 bars then Eb9 for 2 bars)
- D minor pentatonic scale used with added notes
Describe the Y theme in Rotation 2
- Y melody with X accompaniment (crotchet diads)
Where does Rotation 3 begin?
Bar 29 or Figure 3
Describe the X theme variation in Rotation 3
- The rhythm is the similar to the original X theme/motif
- Root position triads make fuller texture and increase contrast with new melody
Where is the interpolation in Rotation 3?
Bars 33-42
Describe bars 33-42
- Interpolation between X and Y within R3
- Whole tone harmony
- 3 part octave doubling
- Layered ostinato texture
- Chromatic ascending 3 note pattern in bassoons
Where does the Y theme variation begin in R3?
Bar 43
Describe the Y theme variation in R3
- Oscillating chordal accompaniment related to X
- Alternating G7 and B13 chords
- Offbeat pizzicato creates raindrop effect
- Divided string texture
- B pedal
Where does Rotation 4 (R4) begin?
Bar 57 or Figure 6
Describe the X theme variation in R4
- Diads on oboe
- Solo viola acts as countermelody
- 61-63 parallel dominant 7th chords
Describe the X theme variation in R4
- Diads on oboe
- Solo viola acts as countermelody
- 61-63 parallel dominant 7th chords
Where does the interpolation begin in R4?
Bar 64
Describe bars 64-79
- Interpolation
- Solo flute melody
- Contrasting D#m pentatonic tonality
- Harp and flute doubling at same pitch
- b77-78 root position dominant 7th chords
- bar 77 enharmonic shift
Where does the Y theme return in Rotation 4?
Bar 80
Describe the Y theme variation in Rotation 4
- Starts with familiar G7 -> C#7
- Different accompaniment to Rotation 3: sustained woodwind chord and tremolo on low strings
- 3 dominant 7th chords used from octatonic palette (bars 80, 82, 86)
Where does Rotation 5 begin?
Bar 94
How many rotations of X and Y are there in total?
5
Describe the X theme development in R5
A fragment of X idea is used in the bassoons (low pitch)
Where is the interpolation in Rotation 5? (just one bar) Describe the material.
Bar 98 - it is a fragment of the flute theme from bars 64-70
Where does the Y theme return in R5? And describe it
Bar 99
Falling tritone idea with G7 chord on divided strings
