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Debussy's Wave: Debussy, Hokusai and La Mer - Dr Mary Breatnach

4,314 views · Published 22 August 2012 · 30:00 · Indexed 20 September 2026

Channel: Gresham College · 2012 · Education

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The first edition of La Mer (published by Durand in 1905) had on its cover a picture of a wave. The image refers unmistakeably to Hokusai's 'The Wave' and constitutes an act of homage paid by a composer to an artist whose work he revered. Rather than using Hokusai's work to illustrate his own, Debussy chose to present an interpretation that, in significant ways, enabled him to reach over and transcend traditional boundaries. Dr Breatnach suggests that his purpose in using this image was, at least in part, to prepare his audience for an unprecedented aural experience.

This is a part of the conference, 'Debussy: Text and Ideas', which is available in full on the Gresham College website.
The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the Gresham College website:
http://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/debussy-text-and-ideas-part-four

Gresham College has been giving free public lectures since 1597. This tradition continues today with all of our five or so public lectures a week being made available for free download from our website.
http://www.gresham.ac.uk

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