Debussy String Quartet

Debussy String Quartet

Author: Joshua Weilerstein February 23, 2023 Duration: 48:56

Just one year before Debussy wrote his legendary Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, he completed another groundbreaking work.  It was a string quartet, which he expected to be the first of many. But in the end, it would be the only one he would ever write. If you aren't familiar with Debussy's music, this quartet might be the perfect place to start. In the string quartet, Debussy mastered for the first time many of the things that would mark his later orchestral masterpieces, like La Mer, Images, and of course the Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun. It is full of the virtuosity and brilliance of a young composer, the experimentation of one of the true radicals of his time, and the sensual beauty from a composer who said that music should exist above all to give pleasure to the listener.  Today I'll take you through the piece, discussing Debussy's Symbolist, NOT impressionist influences, his Brahmsian simultaneous embrace and destruction of musical form, and the vitality that carries you straight through one of the great string quartets of all time. Join us!


There’s a particular kind of curiosity that draws people to classical music, but the sheer scale of the repertoire can feel overwhelming. Sticky Notes: The Classical Music Podcast, hosted by conductor Joshua Weilerstein, meets that curiosity right where it is. Think of it as a series of open conversations about the music itself, designed to be equally engaging for someone hearing a symphony for the first time and for a lifelong devotee. Episodes might feature a thoughtful interview with a performing artist, offering a glimpse behind the curtain, or they could focus entirely on a single piece, peeling back its layers to explore why it resonates. Weilerstein guides these explorations with clarity and enthusiasm, moving seamlessly from foundational concepts to more nuanced details about different musical eras. The entire premise of this podcast is built on a genuine belief that this music belongs to all of us. It’s about replacing any sense of intimidation with connection and understanding. While past seasons are gradually being re-released, each episode stands as its own invitation to listen more deeply.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 284

Sticky Notes: The Classical Music Podcast
Podcast Episodes
My Top 25 Favorite Moments in Classical Music (Part 1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:28
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Mendelssohn Octet in E Flat Major, Op. 20 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:17
From 1825-1827, Mendelssohn wrote 3 of his most beloved and most played works: his Midsummer Night's Dream Overture, his String Quartet, Op. 13, and the piece were going to talk about today, his Octet. What is truly asto…
Mahler Symphony No. 5, Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:53
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Mahler Symphony No. 5, Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:58
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Schoenberg: Verklärte Nacht [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:39
I'm not sure there's ever been a composer who changed as much throughout his or her life as Arnold Schoenberg. Schoenberg would become famous, or infamous, depending on who you talk to, for his invention of atonality; th…
What Does an Opera Director Really Do? W/ Tabatha McFadyen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:49
Have you ever wondered what exactly goes on behind the scenes putting together an opera? Have you ever asked yourself how a director make decisions on how to interpret the libretto of an opera? Why do some productions lo…
The Life and Music of Clara Schumann [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:33
Clara Schumann, without a doubt, was one of the greatest pianists of all time. Schumann's playing didn't just leave critics and audiences in raptures, it also left other composers amazed that their music could sound so b…
Brahms Symphony No. 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:30
Brahms was only 20 years old when Robert Schumann wrote his famous Neue Bahnen(New Paths) article that proclaimed Brahms as the future of music and the heir of Beethoven. Beethoven had only been dead for 26 years at this…