Debussy – Sonata for Flute, Viola, and Harp

^{Claude Debussy (1862-1918)}

^{Sonata for Flute, Viola, and Harp (1915)}

^{Claude Debussy’s Sonata for Flute, Viola, and Harp dates from the last years of Debussy’s life. It was written in 1915 as part of a planned set of six sonatas for various instrumental combinations; Debussy’s final illness and death in 1918 prevented the completion of the project.}

^{Although Debussy used the familiar term “sonata” to describe the present work, there is very little that is traditional about either its combination of instruments or the formal structure of the work itself.}

^{The first movement is not in sonata form, but features six themes whose repetitions are freely varied as the movement proceeds.}

^{Similarly, the second movement, marked Tempo di menuetto, is a minuet in tempo only, its vaguely dance-like character manipulating material heard in the earlier movement.}

^{The finale is, again, essentially freely structured though highly energetic, beginning with a persistent, motoric 16th-note figure passed between the harp and viola. An explicit restatement of material from the opening movement forms a brief respite from the action, before a return of the up-tempo music brings the sonata to its close.}

^{© Jonathan Blumhofer}

^{Reproduction Rights: This program note may be reproduced free of charge in concert programs with a credit to the author.}