Images, Set II

Debussy’s second book of Images for solo piano presents three pieces which build on the first book’s penchant for both sensitive evocation of atmosphere and technical challenges for the performer. Although their titles were organized by 1903, they were published only in 1907. The opening piece, “Cloches à travers les feuilles” (“Bells across the leaves”), palpably depicts a rustling forest and distant church bells; all of it, but for two chords, must be played piano (quiet) or below. The hushed atmosphere persists in the nocturnal central piece, “Et la lune descend sur le temple qui fut” (“And the moon descends on the temple that was”); here the inspiration is from Southeast Asia, with hints of gamelan music’s characteristic patterns glimmering in the melodic fragments. Finally, “Poissons d’or” indicates not goldfish but golden fish: the lacquer koi carp depicted on a Japanese plaque in Debussy’s study. His irrepressible imagination brings the creatures leaping fabulously to life.