Reflets dans l'eau : A reflection on a piano piece by Claude Debussy in relation to impressionism

Sammanfattning

Claude Debussy was the first composer to be described as an impressionist. Impressionistic artists and writers around fin de siècle were pioneers in their fields, creating new colours and describing light in new and inventive ways. Scientists were equally amazed with water and light and tried their best to describe it in a theoretical manner. Water and light are strong symbols in art and is the basis for all life. The purpose of this thesis is to dive deep into Debussy’s piano piece Reflets dans l’eau, in order to gain a better understanding of the musical language and style, in relation to impressionism. Reflets dans l’eau is one of the most significant pieces in the piano literature. Methodologically, articles and books were used to gain a better understanding of the subject, as well as interviews with two piano professors, that both have studied the piece in detail. Music analysis on the form of the piece and its motives were conducted. The results of the thesis indicate that Debussy in the most extraordinary way describes the law of nature and musically reflects on water and light in his magnificent piano piece, Reflets dans l’eau. It is ‘narcissistic’ in the way that it mirrors its own motives.