La Mer is an orchestralcomposition by the FrenchcomposerClaude Debussy. It was written between 1903–05, and the composer travelled to Eastbourne on the English Channel coast to complete it. The piece was not initially well received, but it has become one of Debussy's most frequently performed orchestral works. Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Orchestra at City Hall (Edmonton). ... Musical composition is: an original piece of music the structure of a musical piece the process of creating a new piece of music // A musical composition A piece of music exists in the form of a written composition in musical notation or as a single acoustic event (a live performance... A composer is a person who writes music. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... Bold text:For other places called Eastbourne, see Eastbourne (disambiguation). ... The English Channel (French: La Manche, the sleeve) is the part of the Atlantic Ocean that separates the island of Great Britain from northern France, and joins the North Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. ...
It is in three movements
De l'aube à midi sur la mer ("From dawn to midday on the sea")
Jeu de vagues ("Play of waves")
Dialogue du vent et de la mer ("Dialogue of the wind and the sea")
La Mer is ostensibly a sequence of three impressions; however the work's construction is symphonic in that it consists of two powerful outer movements framing a lighter, faster piece which acts as a type of scherzo. A symphony is an extended piece of music usually for orchestra and comprising several movements. ...
Today, La Mer is widely regarded as one of the greatest orchestral works of the twentieth century. It is a masterpiece of suggestion and subtlety in its rich depiction of the ocean, which combines unusual orchestration with daring impressionistic harmonies. The work has proven very influential, though it is not Debussy's most popular music.
A typical performance of this piece lasts about half an hour.
Debussy was not only one of the most important French composers but was also one of the most important figures in music at the turn of the last century; his music represents the transition from late-romantic music to 20th century modernist music.
Debussy began music instruction when he was nine years old, but his talents soon became evident and at age ten Debussy entered the Paris Conservatoire.
Given that Debussy's music is apparently so concerned with mood and colour, it is somewhat unexpected to discover that according to one author many of his greatest works appear to have been structured around mathematical models even when they apparently also use a classical structure such as sonata form.
Debussy's"Lamer" is that and more, for like much of Debussy's music, "Lamer" combines formal elegance and discipline with an extraordinarily vivid sense of imagery, verging at times on outright sensuality.
Debussy's personal experiences of the sea--childhood visits to Cannes on the Mediterranean, and a perilous afternoon in the spring of 1889 when he and some friends were tossed around in a boat during a storm off the coast of Brittany-- undoubtedly played a part in the genesis of "Lamer."
Debussy was so captivated by this evocation of the life-threatening aspect of the sea that he had the design printed on the cover of the original score to "Lamer."