Feuilles mortes (“Dead Leaves”) is the second piece in Book II of Claude Debussy’s Préludes for solo piano.
Composed in 1913, the music suggests the vivid colors and atmosphere of an impressionistic painting. It evokes a bleak and desolate late autumn landscape—perhaps one in which a frost has already descended. Debussy’s interpretive marking is Lent et mélancolique. Filled with jazzy parallel chords, the music inhabits a haunting dreamscape. Quiet, ghostly ostinatos emerge and dissipate. The final bars drift away, offering no resolution.
A 2012 recording of Debussy’s 24 Préludes, performed by the French pianist, Pierre-Laurent Aimard, was released in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the composer’s birth.
2 thoughts on “Debussy’s “Feuilles Mortes”: A Desolate Landscape”
Thank you very much for sharing this. I hadn’t heard this piece in a while and your article was a great opportunity to return to it.
I have always been struck by “Des Pas Sur la Neige” from the first book of preludes; I believe this is another piece that evokes a sense of desolation and – not just a walk through snow – but walking through the snow at night time. Aimand did a great job with that piece too but Vikingur Olafsson also has a great interpretation on his Debussy-Rameau album.
Thanks again and always for your wonderful website. I always read your posts and love learning about new music from you. I’m from Rochester, by the way – grew up listening to WXXI (Mordecai, Brenda) as a kid. I live in SoCal now.
Thank you very much for sharing this. I hadn’t heard this piece in a while and your article was a great opportunity to return to it.
I have always been struck by “Des Pas Sur la Neige” from the first book of preludes; I believe this is another piece that evokes a sense of desolation and – not just a walk through snow – but walking through the snow at night time. Aimand did a great job with that piece too but Vikingur Olafsson also has a great interpretation on his Debussy-Rameau album.
Thanks again and always for your wonderful website. I always read your posts and love learning about new music from you. I’m from Rochester, by the way – grew up listening to WXXI (Mordecai, Brenda) as a kid. I live in SoCal now.
Thank you for your kind words, Daniel. I’m glad that you are enjoying The Listeners’ Club!