Classical themes

La Dolce Volta

Classique

Catrin Kirchner at Ton:Arten Festival Sasbachwalden 2008 / Funkturmkonzert Hornisgrinde

Henry Purcell - Thy Hand Belinda (Dido and Aeneas)

Scott Joplin - Maple Leaf Rag

Rachmaninoff: Moments Musicaux No.4

Claude Debussy’s Clair de Lune is the third movement of his Suite Bergamasque, written for solo piano and completed in 1905. The title, meaning “Moonlight,” is inspired by Paul Verlaine’s poem, evoking a serene and reflective atmosphere. The piece epitomizes French Impressionism, focusing on mood and imagery over traditional form.
Structure and Atmosphere

The piece is in ternary form (ABA):

    Opening (A):
    A soft, flowing melody emerges over delicate arpeggios. The music feels weightless, like moonlight shimmering on water. Debussy uses rich harmonies and seventh chords to create a dreamlike quality, with a tender, introspective mood.

    Middle Section (B):
    The dynamics intensify, with fuller textures and soaring melodic lines. This section brings a sense of emotional depth and urgency, contrasting with the calm opening. Arpeggios cascade dramatically, giving the impression of moonlight suddenly brightening or revealing hidden beauty.

    Closing (A):
    The opening material returns, slightly varied, fading into a gentle, whisper-like conclusion. The piece ends as quietly as it began, leaving a sense of stillness and wonder.

Musical Features

    Harmonics: Debussy’s use of whole-tone scales, parallel chords, and non-functional harmony creates a suspended, ethereal soundscape.
    Melody: The lyrical melody floats effortlessly above the accompaniment, expressing both simplicity and emotional depth.
    Texture: Light, transparent textures alternate with moments of lush, resonant fullness, embodying the interplay of light and shadow.

Mood and Interpretation

Clair de Lune evokes the quiet magic of a moonlit night, combining serenity with subtle melancholy. Its poetic quality invites listeners to imagine moonlight reflecting on a calm lake, whispering through trees, or illuminating a tranquil landscape. The music feels timeless, blending stillness with fleeting moments of intensity.

Cultural Impact

This iconic piece has been widely used in films (Ocean’s Eleven, Twilight) and pop culture, often accompanying scenes of romance, nostalgia, or quiet reflection. Its universal appeal lies in its ability to evoke deep emotion while remaining understated.
Performance Notes

Expressive dynamics, fluid phrasing, and careful pedaling are essential to capturing its delicate atmosphere. A balance between freedom and control ensures its dreamlike flow remains intact.

Clair de Lune is a masterpiece of impressionistic music, celebrated for its ability to transport listeners into a realm of quiet beauty and introspection.

Claude Debussy - The Essential Collection

Clair de Lune

Static Dream Pavane 静止した夢のパヴァーヌ

Scott Joplin - The Entertainer

In the pantheon of 20th century Spanish composers, Joaquin Turina was the only one to devote a considerable part of his compositional talents to chamber music. He lived and studied music in Paris, where he was encouraged by the likes of D’Indy, Ravel, and Debussy. In this brief tone poem for string quartet, La Oración del Torero ("The Bullfighter’s Prayer"), the influence of Debussy can be heard, especially in the use of lush descending parallel ninth chords. The influence of music of the Andalusian Gypsies is also quite evident. This piece became one of the composer’s most popular works, often performed in an arrangement for string orchestra.

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Quatuor Talich, Turina // La Oración del Torero

La Dolce Volta se met à la musique de chambre   ...

Excellente idée que d'avoir confié à Gary Hoffman et David Selig une intégrale de l'oeuvre pour violoncelle de Mendelssohn, dont la production chambriste hormis l'Octuor et les Quatuors, demeure assez méconnue.
Si le joyau en est sans nul doute la magistrale Seconde Sonate, les interprètes s'amusent dans les juvéniles Variations concertantes, chantent à plein poumons dans la Romance sans paroles en ré, investissent avec chaleur la Première Sonate et n'omettent pas un très bref Feuillet d'Album.

Gary Hoffman, Mendelssohn // Variations Concertantes op. 17

Philippe Bianconi, pianiste niçois plus justement reconnu à l’étranger que dans son propre pays, s’appuie sur les deux piliers - pour ne pas dire les garde-fous - de l’interprète debussyste : la sonorité et l’exactitude musicale. Il nous donne non pas des Préludes « du juste milieu », ce qui serait réducteur, mais de sublimes pièces à la fois très simples et très mystérieuses, ce qui paraîtra frustrant aux Giesekino-Michelangeliens, mais caractérise bien ces deux fois douze ovnis musicaux sur lesquels on ne finira jamais de s’interroger.

Philippe Bianconi, Des pas sur la neige

Arabesque nº1

Transcender une œuvre qu’il joue depuis l’adolescence, telle a été l’ambition d’Aldo Ciccolini, 86 ans, l’un de nos plus grands pianistes, sur ce disque La Dolce Volta. 

En retrouvant le « son de son enfance » sur les ivoires Bechstein, le virtuose offre un regard neuf sur ces sonates grâce à un jeu poétique sublimé par l’expérience d’une vie.

Aldo Ciccolini , Mozart / Das Butterbrot

La lenteur hypnotique de son premier album Mozart chez La Dolce Volta avait de quoi déstabiliser, elle s'élève ici jusqu'à des sommets parfois vertigineux. Prenez le finale de la Sonate en ut mineur : son ternaire est presque désincarné, jusqu'à faire oublier les contours rythmiques du thème... puis vient l'explosion avec des accords assénés tels des coups de poignards. Cette allure générale n'a en effet rien d'un train de sénateur : elle permet à Aldo Ciccolini de creuser le son de chaque note, d'accuser les oppositions d'attaques, de dynamiques, de phrasés au profit d'une vision hautement théâtralisée.

Aldo Ciccolini, Mozart // Sonate n°14 (Molto allegro)

Dedico esta grabación con gran cariño a mis padres.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/debussy-deux-arabesques-single/id1109105473

Debussy: Deux Arabesques

Arabesque No. 1 in E Major, L. 66: Andante con moto

Claude Debussy: Première Arabesque

Creativity is not something that can be turned on and off like a tap . . . 
Art is a labour of love, a question of patience and concentration. To place demands on it, criteria, quotas, damages it, slowly kills it. Art, like nature, must be allowed to develop and to grow, in order to attain plenitude. Following this principle, La Dolce Volta prefers to privilege quality over quantity. Releases are limited to ten albums a year, but each of them is the fruit of in-depth work, and above all a special relationship between the soloist and the composer. The artists’ virtuosity is coupled with their ineffable and highly personal approach, a feeling that can only be expressed through music. 
And since jewels worthy of the name can only be offered in special cases, the albums La Dolce Volta releases are themselves works of art: each record cover is an original work of art; the digipack’s inner sleeve includes a booklet in four languages and an interview with the musician. A bandeau is wrapped around each album, on which is printed the name of the soloist, the name of the composer, and the work performed. 
For La Dolce Volta, music is not just a shrink-wrapped object for sale. Like all beautiful things in life, it must come to fruition naturally, the result of careful craftsmanship, and offered like an exquisite flower. 
For La Dolce Volta music is a question of elegance and beauty without concessions.

Aldo Ciccolini , Mozart / Das Butterbrot

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