Classical Music Work of the Week - August 1, 2005

The first time I heard Debussy's Sunken Cathedral was about four years ago; I was still in college, and as a requirement, I had to attend seven recitals each semester. To make a long story short, this was the most breathtaking piano performance I've ever seen. This particular piece brought tears to my eyes. As the music progressed, it seemed as though everything around me faded away - it was just me, the piano and the performer. I still get chills thinking about it.

What I love about this piece is how Debussy paints the picture of the mythical sunken cathedral with sound like Monet would with paint. The are no hard edges, no flashy chords or orchestrations. It's absolutely brilliant. Debussy composed La cathédrale engloutie in 1910.

If you don't have a recording of the piece, I was able to find this one online... The Sunken (Engulfed) Cathedral. I would love to hear your thoughts on this work. Stop by the classical music forum, drop a few lines, and find out what other people are saying about Debussy's Sunken Cathedral.