Claude DebussyClaude Debussy
The music of other countries inevitably influences composers of classical music. An event that took place in Paris, France in 1889 that was to have far-reaching consequences was the Exposition Universelle. In one of the many pavilions demonstrating art and culture from around the world was a contingent of Balinese musicians performing on their native instruments. A number of composers were influenced by this event, among them, Claude Debussy. In his subsequent piano work, Estampes, he included a movement called Pagodes. He probably didn’t know that there were no pagodas in Bali, but it’s just a title. Listen to a portion of the piece in an interesting version orchestrated by Percy Grainger (whom you might remember from Room 24.
Francis Poulenc
Another composer who wasn’t at those 1899 performances, but still felt the influence of the Far East was Francis Poulenc. In his Concerto for Two Pianos written in 1932, a passage at the close of the first movement closely emulates the sound of the Balinese gamelan.
Listen!
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