Debussy was a master of creating atmosphere and mood in his music. He used techniques such as shifting harmonies, delicate melodies, and subtle orchestration to create a sense of wonder and awe. Debussy’s Nocturnes is a masterpiece of musical imagery.

Nocturnes was inspired by the words of symbolist poet Henri de Régnier and named after James McNeill Whistler’s series of paintings (pictured below). The earliest sketches of the work were for solo violin and orchestra and were called Trois Scènes au crépuscule (Three scenes at dusk/twilight). But Debussy later renamed it Nocturnes and reworked it for orchestra alone.

Whistler’s paintings rely on diffused light and color to express waning twilight. Thus, the new title connects directly back to Régnier’s dusky scenes.
In Debussy’s own words:

“Nuages” (Clouds) renders the immutable aspect of the sky and the slow, motion of the clouds, fading away in grey tones lightly tinged with white. “Fêtes” (Festivals) gives us the vibrating, dancing rhythm of the atmosphere with sudden flashes of light … “Sirènes” (Sirens) depicts the sea and its countless rhythms and presently, amongst the waves silvered by the moonlight, is heard the mysterious song of the Sirens as they laugh and pass on.”

Join us live or via live-stream on May 13, 2023 for “Escape to Hope,” featuring Debussy’s Nocturnes.” Tickets and more information are available at FCSymphony.org/Hope.

Above: Three Nocturnes by James McNeill Whistler. From left to right: “Nocturne: The Thames at Battersea,” “Nocturne in Green and Gold,” “Nocturne: Blue and Silver—Battersea Reach.”

Below: Debussy’s Nocturnes performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy and The Cleveland orchestra.