Claude Debussy (1862-1918)

The title of this brilliant piece links it to Watteau’s painting of galant aristocratic lads and lasses setting off for Aphrodite’s island of love, L’embarquement pour Cythère (1717). Yet once when Debussy was asked where the inspiration for this joyful music came from, he replied ‘Purely imaginary. But I have to admit my technique isn’t up to playing it.’ To his publisher, Debussy wrote, ‘Heavens! How difficult it is!’. Even Rachmaninov thought it hard to bring off.

The pianism of L’Isle joyeuse is orchestral in its power and brilliance, and indeed the conductor Molinari made an orchestral version on Debussy’s instructions. Watteau’s elegant aristocrats would have been surprised at the scope of Debussy’s picture of their revels, if indeed that’s what he had in mind. As in so many of his pieces, Debussy’s music often suggests the sea, as does Chopin’s Barcarolle.

The piece begins with a chromatic and whole-tone cadenza, then a dance section begins, climaxing in a surge of melody. Towards the end there is the pianistic suggestion of ringing brass fanfares. Marguerite Long, who could play it, called L’Isle joyeuse a ‘feast of rhythm’, and critic Wilfred Mellers thinks it ‘the most wonderful piece that Debussy ever wrote’.

First published for Musica Viva