"debussy D Minor Cello And Piano Sonata" Structure And Performance Analysis

Debussy’s sonata for cello and piano in d minor is one of outstanding masterpieces in20century. And nowadays it remains a popular piece in cello concert and cellists’practicing lists. It has a great value to analyze its structure and performance aspects in understanding its style characteristics and interpreting its music.First, the background of this cello sonata and Debussy’s life and his works’style are summarized to dig out the composer’s intent in this sonata. Then the structures, such as material composition, rhythm and harmonic etc., of the3movements are analyzed. It is figured out that this sonata has a classical material composition, and brief and fragmental rhythms are mainly used and the rhythm interruption induced by stress time is avoided, and it concentrates on harmony color rather than its function. Finally, based on the above theoretical analysis the cello technique and musical dealing are discussed. In practice, much more efforts should be put on the unconventional cello techniques, such as Staccato, portato, pizzicato, sur la toche, sur le chevalet, harmonic, glissando, etc.. In performance, the strength contrast should be exaggerated to emphasize changes in color and emotion.Debussy’s sonata for cello and piano in d minor has both characteristics of impressionism and classicalism. It represents the style of Debussy’s works in his later years.