O.2 – DEBUSSY, LA CATHÉDRALE ENGLOUTIE (2024) – ca. 5′
Written in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Music in Composition, Brescia Conservatory.
Composition: Como, Nov 2024; completed 30 Nov 2024
Form/structure: single-movement
Instrumentation: SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
PICCOLO, 2 FLUTES, 2 OBOES, ENGLISH HORN, 2 CLARINETS, BASS CLARINET, 2 BASSOONS, CONTRABASSOON, 4 HORNS, 2 TRUMPETS, 2 TROMBONES, TUBA, TIMPANI, PERCUSSION SET (2 pl.), HARP, VIOLINS I & II, VIOLAS, CELLOS, DOUBLE BASSES
Publications:
– Casaccia, Alexandre. C. Debussy, La Cathédrale Engloutie (O.2). Score. Self-published edition, 11 Nov 2025. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17583969; also available on IMSLP.
License: © 2025 Alexandre Casaccia. Released under CC BY-SA 4.0.
PROGRAM 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.
SCORES & PARTS
PERUSAL SCORE (concert pitch) available below | SCORE(S) (concert pitch or transposed) and PARTS available upon request