Parisian Melodies: Debussy & Ravel

Parisian Melodies: Debussy & Ravel | Perspective

Рет қаралды 29,750

Күн бұрын

In Paris, Simon explores the backdrop to the music of Claude Debussy, before visiting the village of Montfort L'Amaury, where Maurice Ravel lived out the last 16 years of his life.
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From "Classical Destinations With Simon Callow"
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Пікірлер: 84

@lorigoshert6667 2 жыл бұрын

One of the best series on KZfaq! Thanks for this. I've enjoyed them all so far and am looking forward to the next ones.

@claudettedelphis6476 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for starting our new year with absolute musical beauty 💐🌸🌺

@zenonorth1193 2 жыл бұрын

With a different title, I might be less inclined to nitpick about this. Only about half of the video is devoted to Debussy. Of the music by Debussy that was heard as the soundtrack for the video, three of the pieces were written for piano and one for voice and piano. All were heard here in orchestrated versions - most or all of which were not by Debussy. And a slightly larger complaint - I feel that ALL the music in the soundtrack should be identified ON SCREEN while it's being played so that people who don't know the titles but like a particular piece can later track it down. Good intentions and decent writing (almost certainly by non-musicians), and Simon Callow is a treasure but as a video about the "rebellious spirit of Debussy" I can only give it a passing grade. And yes, I know that I'm a pompous pedant.

@grantsmythe8625 2 жыл бұрын

Well, at least you can admit it.

@olewetdog6254 2 жыл бұрын

I think the host of this show pretty much defines pompous. You're not even close. 🤣

@WhirledPublishing 2 жыл бұрын

A world without truth is a realm of demons.

@ClasesDeGuitarraCL 2 жыл бұрын

Sad but true.

@markdarnell614 Жыл бұрын

I agree! Not that you’re pompous, at all… the Debussy music chosen was far from rebellious. The 2nd book of piano preludes, Jeux, and the Violin, and Cello Sonatas - definitely! …also the incidental music for Bilitis- aka Antique Epigraphs was remarkable! Program did better with Ravel. Mother Goose Suite is Terrific!

@Earth098 Жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot for uploading this series!!

@heidimiller642 2 жыл бұрын

This is a very delightful and useful video. I loved every minute of it. Simon Callow is wonderful, funny full of useful information and gorgeous. Good job, everyone.

@Akiro369 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent presentation !

@kalelake3067 7 ай бұрын

Very good; well done..

@IRosamelia 2 жыл бұрын

Pelleas et Melisande is so beautiful!

@heidimiller642 2 жыл бұрын

I know I'm supposed to like the more traditional classical composers, and of course I do like them most of the time. My favorite is Debussy. I don't know why. I don't know enough music theory to explain why I like him. He's been accused of being an impressionist, with nothing serious to say. I don't agree. I love the way he layers chords on top of each other. In fact, to me, this sounds French, because French fashion, food and art does exactly the same thing. Thank you for making this video.

@zenonorth1193 Жыл бұрын

You like who and what you like! There's no "supposed to" about it. And believe me when I tell you that REAL classical musicians would tell you that if you happen not to like Bach, Beethoven or any other big name, there's nothing wrong with that! Part of the beauty of art: being able to make one's own judgements about it and not having to adopt other people's.

@oldschool8798 2 жыл бұрын

Does anyone know of documentaries on Debussy and Ravel? They deserve at least two hours each.

@DonnaSnyder 2 жыл бұрын

This is supposed to be about Debussy but it's just a travelogue for Paris.

@jeff__w 2 жыл бұрын

Information about Claude Debussy starts at about 8:41.

@thesolitarycyclist9005 2 жыл бұрын

It is called "Classical Destinations " for a reason.

@syater 2 жыл бұрын

This is fluff. The video, not the music. What mainly comes across is that Paris is jammed with cars.

@eddiebeato5546 2 жыл бұрын

I thought the same of the lengthy introduction, and it seems that the narrator would like to magnify the narrative effects by such contrivances, but it can test our expectation (our wits) which, with some endurance (add the intrusive ads and other distractions), we may finally arrive at the gist of the subject-matter in hand. Nevertheless, for the more patient and cultured, it is worth the efforts. It is not easy to say whether a short video, taking such goodly swath of introductory embellishments, could enhance the desired effects, which is to capture the viewer’s attention from the outset? That said, one is bound to admit that these documentaries, despite the narrator’s fondness for an architectural backlog of informations and history, are highly recommended and even of the highest rank. One could say that is natural to the British people, with their distinct accent, to win our admiration as the quintessence or epitome of intellectualism and refined culture.

@e8ghtmileshigh1 2 жыл бұрын

What string quartet / movement is the Australian chamber Orchestra playing?

@arakrune 2 жыл бұрын

this series would be better is 1. the lead in wasnt so damned loud 3. if the build up was not almosdt a full 2 minutes of the same thing of each subset of the series

@Bow503 11 ай бұрын

Agree, music to loud, it hurts. And the overdue history of the city is unnecessary here.

@Jimyblues Жыл бұрын

Wonderful… but too short, pls make 60 min. Videos - they’re too good !

@bennypaulos2801 Жыл бұрын

That's nice !!, but can you do about erik satie ?

@djtrendsetta5766 6 ай бұрын

"Debussy once commented, 'Music is the silence between the notes'." Thankfully, Miles and Thelonious were paying attention.

@MrDelvoye 2 жыл бұрын

talking about this period without mentioning G. Sati is incomplete

@errolmichaelphillips7763 7 ай бұрын

Erik?

@pawelec66 2 жыл бұрын

Where is Waldek?

@sschmidtevalue 2 жыл бұрын

Assuming you mean Waldemar, the art presenter. This channel features several presenters on several subjects.

@billybussey 2 жыл бұрын

I love to post this on every Debussy video I see but he’s a not so distant relative of mine. We even look a bit alike.

@nasirferguson4098 Жыл бұрын

You’re related to him?

@billybussey Жыл бұрын

@@nasirferguson4098 Yes. I don't know how much exactly but my family name was changed from DeBussy to Bussey when we came to America in the 1800s. My grandma told me about it when I was little and I had no idea who Claude was.

@nasirferguson4098 Жыл бұрын

@@billybussey oh, well maybe you are of the bloodline of him! That would be so cool. In the family I’m polish and French, it’s rumored one of my great grandmothers (I’m not sure how many greats) was a friend and student of Chopin

@billybussey Жыл бұрын

@@nasirferguson4098 Very cool. I am in Poland right now.

@nasirferguson4098 Жыл бұрын

@@billybussey I wish I could go lol

@heidimiller642 2 жыл бұрын

I am concerned. Mr. Callow appears to be suffering from an attack by radio-busters. His stillted words betray the attack. When I heard the sounds from an attack on our American cellphone towers, it sounds exactly the same: pulses of sound, interrupted repeatedly in short bursts. Please rest a while, everyone. We still have at least 24 hours of the rest period from the twelve days of Christmas.

@randyramos6979 Жыл бұрын

So annoying. Even the subtitles cant keep up. Debussy's music became WC's music...

@voraciousreader3341 2 жыл бұрын

Lightweight.

@emsnewssupkis6453 2 жыл бұрын

They show the intact Notre Dame, not the destroyed church. And the music isn't Debussy?

@ande100 2 жыл бұрын

what is this sweet orchestral piece to start us iff? Violin and joy? why are non of the pieces mentioned? please gelo" dear friends! Thank You in advance. the violin piece comes back at the mentioning of Notre Dame

@jacobscardino4330 2 жыл бұрын

I second poppy blossoms, that melody is very heartwarming, please tell us what the song and composer is?

@thesolitarycyclist9005 2 жыл бұрын

They're just a few bars knocked together for the programme. Once you've heard it a few times believe me you will hit the FF button every time!

@jacobscardino4330 2 жыл бұрын

@@thesolitarycyclist9005 to each his own.

@thesolitarycyclist9005 2 жыл бұрын

@@jacobscardino4330 it's not a "song" It's a jingle composed for the programme. There's literally no more than the bars you hear over and over and over again. Play it in SoundHound if you want proof!

@jacobscardino4330 2 жыл бұрын

@@thesolitarycyclist9005 okay, I see what this is. Judging by the 3 redacted comments that have shown up in my notifications, you appear to be a guy looking for a heated back and forth with someone in the KZfaq comments, I won’t give it to you. I’ll just leave it at this: “WOW, it’d sure be nice if somebody knew the name of the mediocre composer that composed this stupid infantile jingle heard at the beginning of this KZfaq documentary, because even though it’s so bland and boring and not up to the Cotswold cyclists standard of excellence, I happen to really dig it in it’s stupid simplicity.” Have a nice day chap!

@thomasjamison2050 2 жыл бұрын

It is so very important that music critics sound so very posh. Just so, so important.

@heidimiller642 2 жыл бұрын

What else should they sound like? Would you prefer Pee Wee Herman? Johnny Cash? Vincent Price? Peter Lorre? How about Betty Boop? Carrol Channing? Or you could have Mae West? Mr. Callow sounds just fine.

@thomasjamison2050 2 жыл бұрын

@@heidimiller642 Anyone without a wanky posy accent. Almost anyone on DW news would be wonderful. Most people on the BBC would be a significant improvement. I don't see the point of sounding like a really annoying snobby social climber. After all, there's nothing wrong with the music. Why screw up the text that way?

@zenonorth1193 Жыл бұрын

@@heidimiller642 And how many (damn) times does it have to be said: Simon Callow is an ACTOR. He's not a musician and he's not a music critic. He is reading a script he didn't write and undoubtedly receiving at least SOME direction on how he should deliver the script.

@sebastianmelmoth685 2 жыл бұрын

What an obnoxious advert intro - good grief! Fortunately the docu MORE than made up for it.

@LindaCasey 2 жыл бұрын

I suppose they have to make their money somehow .. but I agree about the documentary .. bravo

@sebastianmelmoth685 2 жыл бұрын

@@LindaCasey true - but my poor old ticker! I saw the title "Debussy" so I was lulled into a false sense of security, then... WHAM!

@LindaCasey 2 жыл бұрын

@@sebastianmelmoth685 🤣

@emsnewssupkis6453 2 жыл бұрын

I heard Jefferson Airplane perform at the Fillmore In SF back in the wild hippie days of ancient lore. We were all rather stoned, of course, it was hypnotic and fun...

@syater 2 жыл бұрын

@@emsnewssupkis6453 Hahaha! Was Claude Debussy their piano player? Or did you just lose track of where you were posting a comment?

@kennylong7281 2 жыл бұрын

Can we not correctly say "Eifel" ? ? ?

@thesolitarycyclist9005 2 жыл бұрын

That's how it's pronounced by the French.

@johneyon5257 2 жыл бұрын

Debussy's story doesn't start until 8:40 - the first part contains a rambling homage to Paris - there was nothing new

@eddiebeato5546 2 жыл бұрын

I thought the same of the lengthy introduction, and it seems that the narrator would like to magnify the narrative effects by such contrivances, but it can test our expectation (our wits) which, with some endurance (add the intrusive ads and other distractions), we may finally arrive at the gist of the subject-matter in hand. Nevertheless, for the more patient and cultured, it is worth the efforts. It is not easy to say whether a short video, taking such goodly swath of introductory embellishments, could enhance the desired effects, which is to capture the viewer’s attention from the outset? That said, one is bound to admit that these documentaries, despite the narrator’s fondness for an architectural backlog of informations and history, are highly recommended and even of the highest rank. One could said that is natural to the British people, with their distinct accent, to win our admiration as the quintessence or epitome of intellectualism and refined culture.

@johneyon5257 2 жыл бұрын

rambling is a good description of your post - plus highly pretentious - but that's your prerogative - and - no - when simon finally got around to debussy - he had nothing but babble - and a dreary sampling of his music - i gave the video.a thumbs down

@zenonorth1193 Жыл бұрын

@@johneyon5257 Ummm, let's recognize that Simon Callow is an ACTOR - not a musician. He's reading a script which he didn't write, and he's undoubtedly receiving at least some direction about the delivery of the script. He's just doing a job. The fault lies with the writing.

@johneyon5257 Жыл бұрын

@@zenonorth1193 - wow - you really didn't understand my comments did you - when i called the narrative rambling - i'm talking about the content (ie the script) - i'm not talking about Callow's delivery

@zenonorth1193 Жыл бұрын

@@johneyon5257 I think maybe I clicked the wrong "reply"....By the time I sent that comment I had read so many comments that assumed that Callow was apparently spontaneously holding forth on the subject that I had allowed myself to get in a "YT Comment Rage Fugue" - Ok, I just made that shit up. Anyway, I'm old enough, I should know it don't amount to a hill of beans. Re-reading your comments, I clearly see that you weren't accusing Callow of being the writer of the episode. So, I apologize for sending my "recreational outrage" in the wrong direction.

@cherylforfang8671 2 жыл бұрын

Disappointing. I wanted to learn about Claude de Bussey!

@sschmidtevalue 2 жыл бұрын

You evidently didn't wait long enough. Debussey starts getting discussed about 1/3 way into it.

@dvpMay 2 жыл бұрын

@zintosion 2 жыл бұрын

Always finish on the Bach never in Debussy

@cunite9263 2 жыл бұрын

The narrator seems to emphasize more about the place rather than the composer...

@zenonorth1193 Жыл бұрын

Not the narrator. The writer(s). The narrator is an actor doing a job.

@JANXDPDX 11 ай бұрын

Debussy?....misleading title

@tonyman2c 2 жыл бұрын

Come on. Debussy was famous for for his piano work not violin!

@parzival8331 4 ай бұрын

its crazy you can make a 20 minute video and provide little to no information, this is why TV died.

@michaelrg3836 2 жыл бұрын

What a cheesy introductionary piece of "muzak" for a series about the great composers. Debussy must be spinning in his grave! PS: get Waldemar rather to narrate!!

@lorigoshert6667 2 жыл бұрын

I like this guy much better than Waldemar.

@ElcoCanon 2 жыл бұрын

Very weak episode. Long boring intro about Paris. Not enough information about Debussy himself. All these claims made about him or his music but never explained in depth why or how. Annoying host, how to say little with much words.