Arabesque No. 1

Andantino con moto

At a walking speed, with movement

Ritenuto

Hold back the speed

A tempo

Return to former speed

Poco a poco crescendo

Gradually becoming louder, little by little

Stringendo

Becoming quicker

Sempre

Always

Poco mosso

A little more movement

Tempo rubato

Expressive rhythmic freedom

Un peu moins vite

A little slower

Risoluto

Resolute (strong and determined)

Diminuendo molto

Gradually becoming much softer

Piu

More

Tempo I

Return to the original speed

What does the title mean?

Arabesque - a composition that musically depicts the florid decorations and flowing intertwined lines that are found in Arabian art and architecture.

Arabesque No. 1 is the first part of the Deux Arabesques (hence, No. 1)

What form is Arabesque No. 1 in?

Ternary (ABA) form with a coda

What period is the piece from, and what is the time frame of that period?

Late Romantic period

Romantic period: 1810-1900

How does this piece exemplify the typical features of its period?

• Piece displays lightness and grace

• Rhythmic freedom and tempo rubato

• Foreshadows impressionism 

  • Soft dynamic levels

  • Frequent cross rhythms

  • Frequent 7th and 9th chords

  • Pedal points

  • Occasional parallel 5ths in the bass

Who was Debussy?

• French composer from the Impressionist period (1867-1886)

👶 Born in France in 1862

☠ Died in Paris in 1918 at 55 from rectal cancer 

• Music critic, as well as a pianist and conductor, but primarily a composer

What was Debussy’s compositional style like?

• Music style affinity with two French artistic movements: impressionist painters e.g. Monet and Manet and symbolism writers e.g. Mallarme 

• Impressionism: concerned not just with the portrayal of an object, but also with the way it is perceived 

  • Visual artists often explored effects of light and water creating haziness

  • Debussy’s music has a similar vagueness in its harmony, rhythm and form 

• Some scholars feel symbolism works better: subtle, understated and free

• Debussy often used chords for their sonority rather than their harmonic function

  • Unresolved dissonances

  • Parallel chords

• Avoided traditional cadences 

• Use scales with no leading note e.g. aeolian, dorian

Who were some of Debussy’s contemporaries?

Faure, Albeniz, Ravel

What were some of Debussy’s compositions for piano?

• Deux Arabesques

• Children’s corner

• Preludes

• Etudes

What were some of Debussy’s major works?

• Opera e.g. Pelleas et Melisande

• Orchestra orchestral music e.g. La mer

• Many songs

What key is Arabesque in?

E major