The Purcell Symphony Orchestra at Cadogan Hall, 6 Feb 2023 - Debussy: La Mer

Debussy - La Mer
Conductor Natalia Luis Bassa

VIOLIN I
Francisca, Shlomo, Henrietta, Louis, James, Jessica, Tori, Yu-Wei, Goulwenna, Rebecca, Shlomi, Sofiia, Sonya, Madeleine, Polina

VIOLIN II
Hana, Barbare, Gabriella, Dominic-Lucian, Antonia, Alexander, Ruize, Jacqueline, Dexter, Isaac, Martin, Malena, Miruna

VIOLA
Iklim, Fiona, Mina, Danya, Minsuk, Theadora, Tifany, Yagmur, JiHyo

CELLO
Lindsey, Sebastian, Emma, Da In, Ivan, Ivanna, Oscar, Jennifer, Ella, Jessie, Ken, Teresa, Paddini (Jayden), Yeju

DOUBLE BASS
Louis, Johnathan
*Cathy Elliott
*Fabián Eduardo Galeana Meza

HARP
Aaron, Rowena

FLUTE/PICCOLO
Suanoi, Arunima, Tom, Tessa

OBOE/COR ANGLAIS
Alana, Ekaterina, Rhea

CLARINET/BASS CLARINET
Birce, Marina, Zaki

BASSOON/CONTRABASSOON
Sacha
Ostap
*Eva Serksnaite

FRENCH HORN
Chloe
Alex
*Tim Ellis
*Joel Ashford

TRUMPET
Freddie
Ted
Phoebe
*Dan Taylor

TROMBONE/BASS TROMBONE
Alex
Belinda
Skye
*Ruth Molins
*Ed Hilton

TUBA
Noah

TIMPANI & PERCUSSION
Joshua
Ali
Hannah
Megan
Anthony
*Ryan Hepburn

PIANO
Samuel

CELESTE
Ozel

*Member of staff/visting professional

Claude Debussy (1862-1918) is widely believed to have been one of the most significant composers of the twentieth century, influencing composers such as Bartók, Messaien and even John Williams. He studied at the Paris Conservatoire where in 1884 he won the prestigious 'Prix de Rome'. However, although he was regularly at odds with the institution’s conservative compositional rules. He also experienced a turbulent personal life, and, as a result, lost the support of the public and many of his close colleagues, such as Ravel and Dukas. Despite his disdain for the term, he is often described as “Impressionist” because his subtle and dreamy depictions of nature are seen as being analogous to the French Impressionist artistic movement led by Monet.

'La Mer' (1903-1905) ["The Sea"] is believed to be one of his most important orchestral works, credited to have "invented the modern orchestra". Having spent much of his childhood by the coast, Debussy wrote that "he always retained a sincere devotion to the sea". Additionally, the sea had a conceptual significance for him, having said that "music is a free art, boundless as the elements, the wind, the sky and the sea", possibly showing that he perceived its unpredictable instability as a vessel with which to explore the human experience.

Eastern influences pervade the work, such as Javanese Gamelan music, which likely influenced many of his modes and textures, as well as the painting 'The Great Wave off Kanagawa' by the Japanese artist Hokusai, which he requested be featured on the front cover of the score. Sub-titled 'Trois Esquisses Symphoniques' ["Three Symphonic Sketches"], Debussy aimed to distance himself from the strict Germanic 'symphony' which he believed was obsolete, in order to find a uniquely French voice. Although initially poorly received at its premiere in 1905 (in part due to his public image), its second Paris performance in 1908 secured its place in the modern orchestral repertoire.

Written by Tom



The Purcell School is one of the worlds’ finest schools for young musicians aged 10 to 18 and the oldest music school in the UK. Based in Hertfordshire, just outside of London, the School provides a rounded education with music at its heart to around 180 talented students, most of whom go on to the top conservatoires and colleges for music, often with scholarships. Whilst at Purcell, students share a common bond in their passion for music with a community boasting creativity and mutual support.

The School puts on nearly 100 events a year including concerts featuring our students and masterclasses with some of the most renowned musicians from across the globe. For more information on everything happening at The Purcell School and to keep up to date with the latest news, be sure to sign up to our mailing list: https://www.purcell-school.org/join-o...

Follow us on;

Facebook -   / purcellschool  
Twitter -   / purcellschool  
Instagram -   / the_purcell_school  
YouTube -    / thepurcellschool