Debussy’s La Cathedrale engloutie: How my Project Began
Debussy’s La Cathedrale engloutie. For over 20 years my wife, Sharon, has been trying to get me to learn this esoteric work for the piano by Claude Debussy. Though it’s beautiful, haunting, and exotic; at times, I can be contrary and stubborn: I didn’t want to take the time required to master it. Then the following happened: (1) My oldest son insisted that I should record one hour of Claude Debussy to be available on our ( being Sharon and myself) website. He is building it. (2) My teacher, Mischa Kottler, said on his last visit to us, I should play a concert of French music, especially Debussy in order to “show people what I can do.” (3) My wife is still insisting that I learn Debussy’s La Cathedrale engloutie. And, I must admit, now that I am working on it, has been the thrill of my life
THE STORY OF THE SUNKEN CATHEDRAL
The cathedral of Ys rests on the mythical city-island of Ys, located by Brittany in France (also spelled Keris). It daily rises from the ocean. Debussy’s music conveys the sounds that issue forth from the cathedral including bells chiming, priests chanting and its full-sized organ. The opening suggests church bells ringing in the distance and the clerics singing medieval chant. The middle section imitates the action of waves crashing on the cathedral. The story goes that the island was sunk by the Devil due to the rampant impiety on the island. For this expression in music, Debussy includes a featured place for the interval of the augmented fourth. This interval was called by the church the diabolis in music (the devil in music).
MY SCHEDULED RECORDING SESSION
Now, I hope you can see why I’m looking forward to recording one hour of Debussy’s music; and especially La Catherale engloutie. The recording session is scheduled for November 11 at a performing arts center in Sarasota. Of course, afterwards, there are still a number of necessary steps. I keep telling myself to be patient by reciting the motto: Rome wasn’t built in a day.
