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Hyperion Records

Masques
composer
1903/4
Recordings
Cover of 'Debussy: Piano Music' (CDS44061/3)
Debussy: Piano Music
Buy by post £41.97 (ARCHIVE SERVICE)
CDS44061/3  3CDs Boxed set (at a special price) — 3CDs Archive Service Only  
Cover of 'Debussy: Preludes Book 2' (CDA66487)
Debussy: Preludes Book 2
Buy by post £13.99 (ARCHIVE SERVICE)
CDA66487  Archive Service Only   Download currently discounted
Cover of 'Debussy: Solo Piano Music' (CDA67898)
Debussy: Solo Piano Music
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CDA67898  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available
Details
Track 17 on CDA67898 [5'03]
Track 13 on CDA66487 [5'31] Archive Service Only
Track 13 on CDS44061/3 CD3 [5'31] 3CDs Boxed set (at a special price) — 3CDs Archive Service Only
Masques
EnglishFrançaisDeutsch
In the throes of love for Emma Bardac in 1904, Debussy wrote Masques and L’isle joyeuse. The latter is heard frequently; the former deserves to be better known for, in my opinion, it is as great a masterpiece. In July of 1904, Debussy sent his then wife, Lily, to stay with her father in Burgundy so that he could be with his mistress. They fled first to the island of Jersey, staying incognito at the Grand Hôtel, and then to Normandy. Masques is almost as tragic as L’isle joyeuse is triumphant. The opening repeated notes are at times muted, at times wildly percussive, giving wonderful splashes of colour. The menacing build-up before the recapitulation is thrilling. At the end the music dissolves, but not before giving us some open fifths in both hands that create the most marvellous atmosphere of something past. One reason why Debussy’s first marriage was falling apart at the time was that it was childless. A month after he wrote this piece, Lily put a bullet in her stomach, where it stayed for the rest of her life. In the scandal that followed Debussy lost many friends.

from notes by Angela Hewitt © 2012

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