O. 2 – DEBUSSY/CASACCIA, LA CATHÉDRALE ENGLOUTIE (2024) — ca. 5′
Written in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Music in Composition, Brescia Conservatory
Orchestration · ca. 5′ · Single-movement
3[1.2.pic] 3[1.2.Eh] 3[1.2.bcl] 3[1.2.cbn] – 4 2 2 1 – tmp+2 – hp – str
Programme note:
Despite its relatively short duration, orchestrating Debussy’s prelude La Cathédrale engloutie proved to be a particularly challenging task. The piece’s metric contours are often ambiguous and required significant clarification in order to be properly scored. Its extended pianissimos limit the potential for textural buildup—despite the richness of its harmonies—and most of all, it is difficult to render the narrative quality of this programmatic yet enigmatic work. As an allegory for grandiose yet elusive lost knowledge, it demands a careful orchestral approach to convey its symbolic allusions persuasively.
Composition: Como, Nov 2024; completed 30 Nov 2024
Form/structure: single-movement
Instrumentation:
1 PICCOLO, 2 FLUTES, 2 OBOES, 1 ENGLISH HORN, 2 CLARINETS, 1 BASS CLARINET, 2 BASSOONS, 1 CONTRABASSOON, 4 HORNS, 2 TRUMPETS, 2 TROMBONES, 1 TUBA, TIMPANI, PERCUSSION SET (2 pl.), 1 HARP, VIOLINS I & II, VIOLAS, CELLOS, DOUBLE BASSES
Publications:
– Casaccia, Alexandre. Debussy/Casaccia, La Cathédrale engloutie, O. 2. Score. Self-published edition, 11 Nov 2025. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17583969; also available on IMSLP
Rights: © 2024 Alexandre Casaccia. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Score preview: