Track Listing

1. En Bateau
2. Andantion doucement expressif
3. Interlude
4. Perfumes of the Night

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2563 in Music
• Released on: 1995-04-11
• Number of discs: 1

Customer Reviews

Refreshing and relaxing
Me being a great fan of Debussy, I was instantly attracted to this cd when I saw it. And it is a good mix of music reflective of Debussy's style. I love listening to it while drawing or writing, or just to daydream, like the title says.

One thing I liked a lot was the chamber music. I had never heard a string quartet from any period after the Romantic Era before, and his string quartet was awesome, as was the trio for flute, viola and harp. I also liked the orchestra arrangement of Clair de Lune, one of my favorite songs. Actually, I could sit here listing ALL the songs I liked, but that would be all of them. Overall, a wonderful sampling of Debussy. I am definetly going to try similar cds in the series.

An excellent introduction to Debussy and French music
Compilation CD's like this are an excellent first CD to purchase when first exploring a new composer or style of music ("Expressionism" in Debussy's case). And this Philip's "Set your Life to Music" collection is usually a sure and safe way to do that given their well thought-out selections, themes and quality recordings. This CD here contains many of the most popular, lyrical and enchanting works of the 19th-century French composer, Claude Debussy. The range of selections are diverse and satisfying: from his major solo piano works through his top chamber music (for 2-5 instruments) to the full-blown orchestral selections of great imagery and dreaminess that can transport one into another world of great serenity. (But, there are enough sudden changes in loudness and rhythm to upset any notions of perfect bliss and keep the daydreamer from falling asleep - hence the title, "for Daydreams" and not "for Bedtime" like in other offerings in this Philips' series) Regardless, this CD is an excellent introduction to Claude Debussy as well as being overall relaxing music to enrich one's life.

One interesting music history tidbit on Debussy that might interest the new listener: Even though Debussy did not like the label, his music was labeled "Expressionism" for the similarities to what the French artists like Monet were doing at the same time. In Debussy's case, his intent was to create "emotional impressions" with music that evoked specific moods and images in the mind - not unlike what the "impressionistic painters" were trying to do on canvas using pure color and form to evoke the fleeting, emotional moment of a landscape scene. "Prelude of the Afternoon of the Fawn" is a good example of this dreamy, lingering, emotive style of music.

Beautiful Music
I bought this CD sight unseen through a music club, and loved it so much that I have bought it for others. I've become addicted to the "Set Your Life To Music" series because of this CD and my brother's fondness for the "Bach for Breakfast" CD. However, this one will always be my favorite because of the lovely "Claire de Lune", which is so beautiful it makes me misty. Debussy reminds you how great it is to be alive. I highly recommend this CD.