Hommage à Rameau from Images
Claude Debussy (1862-1918)

THE STORY

Claude Debussy is often regarded as an originator of “impressionistic” music: rather than seeking to tell a specific story, he sought to evoke a mood or atmosphere. His use of scales inspired by Eastern musical traditions opened Western ears to new sounds—and rather than rely on motivic development to propel the music forward, he reveled in static sonorities. 

Hommage à Rameau is the second piece from Debussy’s first series of three Images, composed for solo piano from 1901-1905. Fascinated with the cross between music and the visual arts, he composed a second series of three in 1907, and even created a different set specifically for orchestra, Images pour orchestre, from 1905-1912. 

The title refers to Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764)—Debussy composed the tribute to Rameau while revising an edition of the Baroque composer’s works. The arrangement of the piece by contemporary composer Camille Pépin was the first for full orchestra. 

LISTEN FOR

• The melody that travels through the orchestra—rather than assign a specific instrument to the melody in each phrase, Pépin allows each instrument to play a part in constructing the sonorous tapestry
• Pedal tones—sustained pitches in the lower registers—which juxtapose with the shifting chords in the upper registers
• Debussy’s treatment of dissonance—rather than resolve the musical tension, he is content to bask in unconventional harmonic structures

INSTRUMENTATION

Two flutes, two oboes, English horn, two clarinets, two bassoons, two horns, two trumpets, percussion, strings